Experts and local officials call for state and banking intervention to revitalise flood-hit businesses in Rasuwa and Nuwakot

KATHMANDU: Financial experts and business leaders have urged the government and banking sector to provide targeted relief, soft loans, and debt deferrals to rebuild enterprises damaged by the severe Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river floods.

Speaking during the 5th National Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Kathmandu, Raj Kumar Karki, Chairperson of the Disaster Management Committee at the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), emphasized the need to restore the confidence of affected entrepreneurs through concrete state backing and financial flexibility.

Financial sector expert Upendra Prasad Poudel, Asia-Pacific Regional Representative for the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, advocated for temporary loan recovery freezes and sensitivity from commercial banks to sustain local businesses during recovery.

Highlighting ground realities, Deputy Mayor of Bidur Municipality Prabha Bogati reported that key economic hubs including Betrawati, Trishuli Bazaar, and Devighat suffered severe damages during the late-August flash floods. Destroyed bridges and impaired transport links continue to disrupt basic commodity supplies across Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts, leaving small-scale traders and residents facing acute livelihoods distress.