Bagmati CM Draws a Hard Line on Flood Risk: No More Settlements on Bhotekoshi and Trishuli Banks

Bagmati Province Chief Minister Kiran Thapa has sent a clear message after the devastating floods in Rasuwa: settlements should not be rebuilt along the banks of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. With the region still reeling from the damage, the province is now pushing a relocation-first approach for families forced from their homes.

Speaking at a Nepal Press Society event in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, Thapa described the riverbanks as dangerous zones where rebuilding would only invite more tragedy. The message reflects a broader shift in disaster response across Nepal, where emergency rescue is no longer enough and long-term safety is becoming the central issue.

A warning shaped by disaster

The floods in Rasuwa caused major destruction across settlements and infrastructure near the Trishuli corridor. Roads, bridges, and homes were damaged, and many residents were left displaced or living in unsafe conditions. Thapa’s remarks underline the scale of the risk: returning people to the same riverbanks would mean rebuilding in places that remain vulnerable to future floods.

In practical terms, the province is signaling that recovery will not simply mean repairing what was lost. It will mean redesigning where people live.

Relocation instead of repetition

Thapa said an agreement has already been reached in principle where local governments will provide land while the provincial government will handle construction of new settlements. That model could become the foundation for resettling displaced families in safer areas, away from the most exposed riverbanks.

This approach matters because it moves the conversation from emergency shelter to permanent relocation. For flood-hit communities, that means the next home should not be just a replacement - it should be a safer one.

Why this matters now

The Bhotekoshi and Trishuli basins have become a stark reminder of how climate-linked disasters can reshape settlement policy. As climate risks intensify, officials are increasingly being forced to confront a difficult reality: some areas may no longer be suitable for dense habitation.

Thapa’s stance also adds urgency to coordination between provincial and local authorities. If land allocation, planning, and construction move forward together, displaced families could begin the slow process of rebuilding their lives in lower-risk locations.

The bigger picture

The province’s response could set an important precedent for disaster recovery in Nepal. Rather than repeatedly restoring vulnerable settlements after each flood, authorities appear to be leaning toward a more preventive model that prioritizes safety, planning, and long-term resilience.

For families in Rasuwa, the decision may be painful in the short term. But for a region facing recurring flood threats, it could be the difference between temporary recovery and lasting security.