Bhote Koshi flood damage: FAO assessment

The destructive flood on the Bhote Koshi River, which occurred on August 26, caused severe damage to rural areas in districts such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and others. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the disaster destroyed approximately 1.8 thousand hectares of agricultural land, particularly paddy fields, and also led to the death of thousands of livestock animals and poultry.

According to the FAO's preliminary assessment, the damage affected not only the current harvest, but also fish ponds, food reserves, and agricultural infrastructure. Agricultural land was buried under a layer of mud and debris, while the destruction of roads, bridges, and markets disrupted the supply of food, feed, milk, and production means. According to the organization's calculations, the loss of about 1.8 thousand ha of agricultural land could result in a shortfall of nearly 7.7 thousand metric tonnes of crop production.

The affected region is an important livestock zone in Nepal. Before the disaster, about 350 thousand head of cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats, as well as more than 1.6 million chickens, were kept in the 11 affected local government bodies. According to FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol, thousands of livestock animals and poultry died or went missing, and total livestock losses are estimated at between 5 and 10 percent.

Under the current conditions, the affected farming enterprises are in urgent need of seed, animal feed, and veterinary services. Due to the increased risk of disease outbreaks among livestock, Bechdol emphasized the need for heightened attention to vaccination, treatment, and epidemiological surveillance. The FAO is supporting the Government of Nepal in rescue operations, providing emergency assistance in animal health, and, together with the authorities, conducting a detailed damage assessment using field inspections and space technologies.