Nepalese authorities have estimated that rebuilding areas devastated by the catastrophic floods that struck the country’s border region with China last week will cost between $4 billion and $5 billion.
Nepal’s Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said the estimate was preliminary, as authorities continue to assess the losses and damage caused by the disaster.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the country needs international assistance in technical and specialized areas where it lacks the necessary expertise, while ruling out the need for additional support for search-and-rescue operations. Nepal has sought specialist assistance as difficult rescue and recovery operations continue in the affected areas.
The disaster occurred on Wednesday after a glacial collapse triggered a massive torrent of rocks, ice, mud and debris through Himalayan river systems, causing devastating floods along the Nepal-China border.
The latest figures put the death toll at more than 630 people in Nepal and China’s Tibet, while nearly 3,000 people remain missing. Nepal has reported 626 deaths and 2,426 missing on its side of the border, while Chinese authorities have reported seven deaths and 554 missing in Tibet.
