Nepal says post-flood reconstruction could total ‘billions of dollars’

Kathmandu - The reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts for Nepal following devastating floods could cost billions of dollars, according to foreign minister Shisir Khanal. The scale of the destruction is still being assessed, with authorities grappling to understand the full impact of the disaster. Khanal emphasized the urgent need for rescue and saving lives, but acknowledged that the government's capacity has been stretched. So far, rescue teams have retrieved 626 bodies, and over 2,426 people are still missing.

Khanal appealed for specialized assistance to identify and preserve the recovered bodies, as hundreds have been found downstream and risk fast decomposition. The government's healthcare capacity is limited, making it difficult to store bodies in a frozen state for long periods. Consequently, efforts are underway to secure refrigerated trucks to preserve the bodies until they can be identified and returned to their families.

Another major challenge faced by Nepal is its limited forensic capabilities, which include a lack of DNA sampling, DNA testing, and reporting infrastructure. Khanal stressed the urgent need for international support to address these critical aspects of the post-flood reconstruction process.