Post-Flood Assessment of the 2019 Flooding in the Bagmati River Basin, Nepal

The recurrent flood events in Nepal can be attributed to the short duration cloud bursts, high intensity monsoon rainfall and other adverse meteorological conditions. However, flood risks in terms of damages and losses are exacerbated by the vulnerability and exposure of communities and different sectors of the economy to the flood hazards. Flood hazards can be termed as natural events, but the risks, damages and losses caused by them are often man-made. High rainfall in July 2019 led to widespread flooding that affected urban areas of Kathmandu and Birgunj, and most of the districts of eastern Tarai (southern plains of Nepal). This paper presents the post-flood assessment of the July 2019 flood in Bagmati River Basin and adjacent districts in Nepal. It analyses the hydro-meteorological conditions that led to the flood hazard, and the various factors in terms of vulnerability and exposure of the affected communities, infrastructures and other assets that suffered from damages and losses (risks). This post-flood assessment and the methodology used will be helpful for designing and preparing flood risk mitigation policies, and preventative and remedial actions for future flood events.