Kathmandu: The monsoon season, spanning from June 14 to August 25, has proven to be a period of devastation, resulting in a tragic toll of 73 lives lost due to various weather-related incidents. Landslides, floods, heavy rainfall, and lightning strikes were among the culprits responsible for the casualties.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority released a report detailing the repercussions of these monsoon-triggered disasters. The toll comprises 102 individuals sustaining injuries and 20 individuals still unaccounted for. Executive Chief of the Authority, Anil Pokhrel, shared that during this time frame, Nepal experienced 135 instances of flooding, 429 incidents of landslides, 116 occurrences of heavy rainfall, and 83 incidents of lightning strikes.

Breaking down the casualties, 12 lives were claimed by flooding, 38 by landslides, 2 by heavy rains, and 21 by lightning strikes.

The monsoon's fury extended beyond human lives, wreaking havoc on vital infrastructure. Notably, hydropower projects suffered severe setbacks, collectively accounting for a loss of approximately Rs 8.5 billion. This encompassed 17 under-construction projects with a combined capacity of 326.83 megawatts and 13 operational projects yielding 132.75 megawatts, all adversely affected by the monsoon's impact.

Infrastructure across various sectors also suffered considerable damage. A total of 29 highways were impacted, incurring a loss of Rs 400 million. Additionally, the destruction of four motor bridges and 22 suspension bridges led to a financial setback of around Rs 410 million.

Moreover, the adverse weather caused damage to 28 federal drinking water projects, amounting to an approximate loss of Rs 90 million. The cumulative cost of restoring the damaged infrastructure is estimated to exceed Rs 10.55 billion. The extent of the devastation underscores the need for strategic preparedness and resilience-building measures to mitigate the impact of future monsoons.