Two weeks after severe flooding devastated parts of central Nepal, survivors in the hardest-hit districts of Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Dhading are grappling with the loss of homes, livelihoods, and a sense of security. Approximately 3,500 people are currently living in government-run shelters, facing the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives amid ongoing uncertainty.
In Nuwakot district, Taradevi Tamang’s village has been nearly erased by the floods that swept away her tin-roofed home and destroyed the family’s savings and gold jewelry. The Trishuli River, which caused the destruction, also claimed her primary source of income by washing away hundreds of piglets and wild boars. Tamang, who lost her house in the 2015 earthquake as well, described the deepening hardship. “We thought our lives would improve, but it’s just one stress after another,” she said, expressing concern about the future and the lack of resources to rebuild.
Similar scenes of destruction can be seen in Dhunge Bazaar, where entire settlements were reduced to rubble. Buildings bear visible mud marks several stories high, indicating the tremendous rise of floodwaters. Salina Nepali, a 20-year-old who lost her family’s clothing shop in the floods, recounted how the sudden loss of 1.2 million rupees in stock and cash has left her family uncertain about their next steps. “We don’t know where we’ll go now. Maybe we have to find work and rent a room somewhere. Everything is uncertain,” she said.
The floods have not only damaged property but are also taking a heavy toll on the mental health of survivors. Aid organizations such as Save the Children are providing psychological support and temporary learning spaces in shelters, highlighting a growing need for mental healthcare. Counseling professionals warn of widespread trauma, especially among children who are struggling to process losses. Achitra Thing, a counselor with the Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation Nepal, described how some children cling to hope despite the reality of their situation. “When this seven-year-old boy sees a helicopter, he thinks his parents are being brought back, even though he saw both of them swept away,” she said.
Adults, meanwhile, often suffer in silence, with many lacking access to formal counseling. Some men have resorted to heavy drinking as a coping mechanism, leading to increased safety concerns for women and children in crowded shelters.
The disaster is also expected to influence migration patterns, potentially increasing the number of Nepalis seeking work abroad to support their families. Seventeen-year-old Karan Tamang, who lost both parents in the floods, is uncertain about continuing his secondary education, a key milestone in Nepal. “I just don’t have the courage now,” he said. “Maybe I’ll go abroad for work.”
Despite the hardships, some survivors remain resolute about keeping their families united. Taradevi Tamang expressed her hopes to rebuild in a safer location away from the river and stressed the importance of education for her son. “My son should study as much as he can,” she said, adding that she hoped the government would provide land in safer areas to facilitate reconstruction. “We don’t want to go back near the river.”