Kathmandu, 26 October (H.S.): Devastating floods in the Trishuli River have destroyed drinking water infrastructure across several parts of Nepal’s Nuwakot district, leaving residents struggling to access safe water and disrupting essential services.

The floods, which struck on August 26 at around 10 am, caused extensive damage in Bidur and Belkotgadhi municipalities, as well as Kispang and Tarkeshwar rural municipalities.

According to the Nuwakot District Administration Office, the disaster completely destroyed 32 drinking water projects operating across these local bodies, affecting large numbers of residents. Administrative officer Rupesh Prasad Nepal said preliminary estimates put the damage to drinking water schemes at Rs 58.60 crore.

Officials said repair work was under way on some projects, while others required reconstruction. Temporary water supplies have been restored through certain schemes to provide immediate relief to affected communities.

The Bagmati Province government’s Drinking Water and Sanitation Division Office in Nuwakot has supplied 12,000 metres of drinking water pipes to support restoration efforts.

The Bidur Drinking Water and Sanitation Consumers’ Institution has also received equipment and materials from the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management to repair and restore schemes serving Bidur Municipality. These include a 100-kVA generator, a stabiliser and 32,000 metres of pipes. The supplies have helped facilitate temporary repairs and the restoration of water services.

The district administration said recovery efforts were prioritising health services, essential infrastructure and connectivity alongside the restoration of drinking water facilities.

Nuwakot Chief District Officer Shambhu Prasad Regmi said 2,723 people had been reported missing in the district following the floods, while 3,630 people had been rescued and brought to safety.

According to the district administration, relief distribution is being coordinated through a single-window system involving the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, district officials, security agencies and representatives of local bodies. The arrangement is intended to coordinate assistance and ensure that relief reaches affected communities.

Relief materials are being collected and distributed through the District Coordination Committee and the Bidur Municipality office. The administration said assistance had been mobilised through 536 organisations and institutions, with various forms of relief distributed at 2,697 locations.

Authorities continue to focus on restoring essential services and supporting communities affected by the disaster.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar