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Country analysis

Nepal

Over 80% of Nepal's population faces the risk of natural hazards, such as heavy rains, floods, landslides, droughts, and extreme temperatures. The poor socioeconomic situation especially of marginalised populations, a steep terrain, and the remote topography of the country aggravate the impact of these hazards.

In late September 2024, heavy and continuous monsoon rains caused flooding and landslides in many parts of the country, especially in central and western Nepal, resulting in nearly 250 fatalities. By 7 October, the natural hazard-related disaster had internally displaced around 44,000.

The floods and landslides have also caused extensive damage to road, communication, and electricity infrastructure, destroyed and damaged around 4,700 and 5,300 houses, respectively, and damaged over 88,000 hectares of farmland, affecting around 147,000 households.

As a result, at least 190,000 people need humanitarian assistance. Urgent needs include shelter; food, especially ready-to-eat foods; potable water; WASH assistance, including access to hygiene facilities and the provision of items such as water purification tablets; mental health and psychosocial support, especially for displaced people; healthcare support, especially reproductive and maternal healthcare; nutrition assistance, especially ready-to-use therapeutic food; education kits; and livelihood support, including the provision of agricultural inputs and the rehabilitation of irrigation and market infrastructure.

(MOHA 12/2017, WB accessed 21/10/2024, UN RC Nepal/UNCT Nepal 07/10/2024)

Over 80% of Nepal's population faces the risk of natural hazards, such as heavy rains, floods, landslides, droughts, and extreme temperatures. The poor socioeconomic situation especially of marginalised populations, a steep terrain, and the remote topography of the country aggravate the impact of these hazards.

In late September 2024, heavy and continuous monsoon rains caused flooding and landslides in many parts of the country, especially in central and western Nepal, resulting in nearly 250 fatalities. By 7 October, the natural hazard-related disaster had internally displaced around 44,000.

The floods and landslides have also caused extensive damage to road, communication, and electricity infrastructure, destroyed and damaged around 4,700 and 5,300 houses, respectively, and damaged over 88,000 hectares of farmland, affecting around 147,000 households.

As a result, at least 190,000 people need humanitarian assistance. Urgent needs include shelter; food, especially ready-to-eat foods; potable water; WASH assistance, including access to hygiene facilities and the provision of items such as water purification tablets; mental health and psychosocial support, especially for displaced people; healthcare support, especially reproductive and maternal healthcare; nutrition assistance, especially ready-to-use therapeutic food; education kits; and livelihood support, including the provision of agricultural inputs and the rehabilitation of irrigation and market infrastructure.

(MOHA 12/2017, WB accessed 21/10/2024, UN RC Nepal/UNCT Nepal 07/10/2024)

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Latest updates on country situation

10 May 2024

A household survey on around 305 households conducted in December 2023 in the earthquake-affected districts of Jajarkot and Rukum West revealed a significant loss of productive assets and damage to agricultural land, irrigation systems, animal shelters, and stocked fodder. The affected need food assistance, livelihood support, and land rehabilitation. (FAO 10/10/2024)

13 December 2023

More than 40,000 earthquake-displaced people in Karnali province are living in tarpaulin tents. They urgently need food, healthcare, and WASH assistance, as well as winterisation support, including adequate shelter, warm blankets, mattresses, warm clothes, stoves, and fuel. (The Guardian 12/12/2023, HRW 13/12/2023, Shelter Cluster 23/11/2015)

Analysis products
on Nepal

Nepal: Floods in central and eastern districts

07 October 2024

Nepal: Floods in central and eastern districts

DOCUMENT / PDF / 808 KB

Heavy rainfall on 27–28 September caused flash floods, the overflow of rivers, and landslides in 44 districts across Nepal, with the worst effects in the hilly Kathmandu Valley followed by the plains of eastern Koshi and Madhesh provinces, increasing their vulnerability to flooding.

Natural hazards
Nepal: earthquake in Jajarkot district

10 November 2023

Nepal: earthquake in Jajarkot district

DOCUMENT / PDF / 284 KB

On 3 November 2023, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit the western area of Jajarkot district in Karnali Province. This is the deadliest earthquake to hit Nepal since 2015, when two earthquakes killed nearly 9,000 people near Kathmandu. 

Natural hazards
COVID-19 and Migrant Vulnerability in Bangladesh, India and Nepal

13 October 2020

COVID-19 and Migrant Vulnerability in Bangladesh, India and Nepal

DOCUMENT / PDF / 285 KB

This report aims to describe key factors affecting vulnerability for both internal and international labour migrants and the communities they are returning to in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, in order to support humanitarian and development actors to proactively identify and respond to emerging critical needs. 

COVID-19
Nepal: COVID-19 & the return of migrants

12 June 2020

Nepal: COVID-19 & the return of migrants

DOCUMENT / PDF / 369 KB

Many migrant workers, most of them from Nepal, lost their employment when the Indian governmentimposed a strict lockdown on 25 March to contain the spread of COVID-19. With theeasing of the lockdown, 600,000 migrant workers are expected to return to Nepal in the coming weeks andmay weaken the effectiveness of Nepal’s COVID-19 mitigation measures. 

COVID-19Mixed migration
Nepal: Floods and landslides

17 July 2019

Nepal: Floods and landslides

DOCUMENT / PDF / 482 KB

Heavy rainfall since 11 July has triggered flooding and landslides across south-eastern and central Nepal. Provinces 1, 2 and 3 are worst hit, with province 2 as the most severely affected area. An estimated 75,900 people have been displaced across the country. Shelter, WASH, health and food needs are reported. As of 16 July, 78 people have been killed, 32 people are missing, and 40 others have been injured. Flooding and landslides have blocked and damaged roads and bridges, hampering the humanitarian response.

Natural hazards
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