Kanchanpur Cloudburst Causes Rs 1.57 Billion in Damages

A cloudburst in Kanchanpur district on July 7 has resulted in damages estimated at Rs 1.57 billion, according to the District Administration Office. The cloudburst-triggered flooding caused extensive damage to physical infrastructure, crops, industries, livestock, and other properties.

Acting Chief District Officer Parshuram Pokharel reported that district offices have assessed the damages, highlighting the severe impact on various sectors. The agriculture sector, in particular, faced significant losses amounting to over Rs 654 million. The Mahakali Irrigation Management Office reported a loss of Rs 292.2 million, while the Road Division Office suffered nearly Rs 40 million in damages. Additionally, the Infrastructure Development Office recorded damages of Rs 72 million.

The disaster also led to the destruction of several private properties and claimed four lives. A study by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology identified the event as a “Terai Cloudburst,” attributing the intense downpour to a combination of monsoon conditions and a low-pressure system in the Westerly wind.

The flooding inundated plain lands across Kanchanpur, with swollen rivulets causing further damage. Approximately 85 square kilometers of agricultural land and around 14,000 physical structures were affected by the extreme rainfall and flooding.