Nepal flood losses estimated at $2.56 billion, official says - Reuters

**Kathmandu, Nepal –** The government’s disaster assessment team has put the economic toll of the monsoon‑season floods that battered Nepal’s Terai and hilly regions at **$2.56 billion**, according to a senior ministry official cited by Reuters. The figure encompasses damage to homes, infrastructure, agriculture and livestock, and represents roughly 4 % of Nepal’s gross domestic product. Heavy rains triggered landslides and river overflows in more than 30 districts, displacing an estimated 1.2 million people and submerging critical roadways, bridges and power lines that link the nation’s remote interior to the capital.

Humanitarian agencies report that the disaster’s impact extends beyond immediate loss of shelter. **NDTV** highlighted growing concerns among flood survivors that the contaminated water and spoiled food rations—often the only source of sustenance—could precipitate a secondary health crisis. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that **166 Indian nationals have been rescued**, while **275 remain missing**, and that Indian rescue teams continue to coordinate closely with Nepali authorities. Meanwhile, Nepal’s disaster‑relief minister has demanded compensation for the victims, framing the request as part of a broader dialogue on climate‑related losses.

The floods have reignited a regional debate on climate responsibility. In a joint statement, the governments of Nepal and India described **climate change as a “common challenge”** and urged wealthy nations to honor pledged climate‑finance commitments, echoing a call from **The Times of India** that “developed countries must take the lead.” Nepal’s officials argue that the mounting frequency of extreme weather events underscores the need for accelerated funding for adaptation and early‑warning systems, while India has pledged additional aid and technical support, positioning the bilateral response as a test case for international cooperation on climate‑induced disasters.