KATHMANDU: The flood in the Bhote Koshi River on Aug. 26 has caused massive financial losses for traders after shipments imported for the festival season were washed away.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the disaster has resulted in 1,367 deaths, with 5,132 people still missing. The missing include 45 Nepal Army personnel, 25 police officers, 12 armed police, 73 government employees, 26 bank staff and 589 foreign tourists.
Manoj Babu Shrestha, president of the Nepal National Traders Federation, stated that 250 containers of goods imported via the Kerung border crossing were destroyed, leading to losses in the billions. Among these, 76 containers had already cleared customs and were being prepared for transport to Kathmandu.
Traders had imported the goods from China during July and August to stock up for the upcoming Teej, Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festivals.
Business owners in the New Road area reported significant losses. Former president of the National Trade Association, Saroj Shrestha, said he lost goods worth Rs 3.5 million. Other traders, including Birendra Shrestha, Rabi Khadka, Arjun Humagain and Bishnu Neupane, reported losses ranging from Rs 4 million to Rs 8 million each.
General Secretary of the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs, Deknath Gautam, stated that the floods damaged approximately 1,300 vehicles, including cargo trucks and passenger buses.
Electric vehicles stationed at the customs point were also swept away. Traders, who shifted to the Rasuwagadhi border point following the closure of the Tatopani route in Sindhupalchok, are now facing a severe economic crisis due to the destruction of their inventory.
