Nepal Needs Billions for Flood Rebuilding, Says Business Leader

Nepal will require a massive, coordinated international effort to rebuild after the recent flash floods, according to billionaire businessman and former parliamentarian Binod Chaudhary. He stated that the scale of destruction is so vast that billions of dollars will be needed for relief, repair, and reconstruction, with a long-term focus on resilience.

Chaudhary described the disaster as unprecedented, noting that entire villages were washed away within minutes, bridges collapsed, and power infrastructure was severely disrupted. He emphasized that the immediate priority must be rescuing survivors and providing essential supplies like food, water, medicine, and shelter to affected communities.

While precise economic damage estimates are not yet available, Chaudhary highlighted that over 500 megawatts of power generation capacity have been disrupted and more than 30 bridges have collapsed, cutting off connectivity and impacting businesses and markets. He expressed shock at the speed and magnitude of the event, noting that even well-designed infrastructure, such as that built by China in the region, could not withstand the force of the floods.

Chaudhary stressed that reconstruction must go beyond simply repairing damaged structures. He called on countries and international partners to contribute not only financial resources but also engineering expertise and experience. Rebuilding efforts should prioritize resilience to better equip infrastructure and communities for future disasters.

He also mentioned the need for support from institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, as well as neighboring countries. India was among the first to respond with relief supplies, and Sri Lanka and other partners have also offered assistance. The key challenge, he noted, will be ensuring that aid reaches affected communities quickly and is used effectively.

Chaudhary, whose foundation built 2,700 homes after the 2015 earthquake, said his teams have already begun identifying locations for transitional shelters, schools, and health facilities. He emphasized that the government and private sector must work simultaneously on resettling displaced communities, rebuilding bridges, and restoring businesses and power infrastructure.