Nepal Plans Design Code Changes for Roads After Floods

Infrastructure development ministry joint secretary Bhimarjun Adhikari stated that floods and landslides cause billions in damage to roads, bridges, and infrastructure annually. He noted that after a significant flood in the Trishuli River in 2050, such scale disasters had not recurred for a long time, but over the past four to five years, the country has faced repeated calamities in areas including Sanfebagar, Melamchi, the Jomsom-Korala route, the Mechi Highway, the Roshi River section of the BP Highway, the Bhotekoshi, and Rasuwa. Because of these frequent catastrophes, the government is currently working to establish a maintenance and disaster resilience unit, as no separate unit has existed previously to handle potential disaster damage and reconstruction. Adhikari emphasized that following major disasters over the past few years, reviewing and revising the existing design codes has become essential for future infrastructure projects. According to officials, recent floods carry major amounts of debris and sediment alongside water, causing severe destruction primarily in upstream areas while having a lower impact downstream. Future infrastructure must be climate-resilient, and new design codes will focus on constructing roads and bridges specifically suited for upper regions. During past emergencies, the immediate priority involved opening alternative routes, such as the three-day design and swift temporary operation of the Krishnabhir road. The ongoing policy discussions reflect a broader shift in how public works departments approach disaster management and physical connectivity across mountain terrain. Officials maintain that updating engineering standards will help safeguard transport networks against recurrent weather extremes and severe seasonal downpours.