Nepal's flood victims lose everything and weigh leaving home
Floodwaters in central Nepal wiped out homes, livestock, and savings, forcing survivors into government shelters. With over 1,300 dead and thousands missing, many are contemplating seeking work abroad to rebuild their lives.
The August 26 disaster displaced roughly 3,500 people into temporary government shelters across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading. Survivors like Tamang, who previously lost her home to the 2015 earthquake but retained her land, now face total loss of property and livelihood, including her livestock and savings.
In Dhunge Bazaar, the receding Trishuli River left mud stains three stories high, while the search for the missing continues at an army camp in Bidur, where relatives post photographs of loved ones. The scale of destruction has led many survivors to consider seeking work abroad to rebuild their lives.
The loss of land, homes, and livestock could push a significant number of survivors toward seeking employment abroad, potentially accelerating rural depopulation in central Nepal. This exodus may strain local recovery efforts and alter community structures, as families lose their primary breadwinners. The psychological toll of repeated disasters, following the 2015 earthquake, may also lead to long-term social instability, as rebuilding becomes increasingly difficult without sustained state support.