Nepal's Transport Network Recovery Hinges on Resilience Measures

A recent ice-rock avalanche in Nepal has highlighted the importance of resilience measures in transport networks. The disaster blocked the Lhende River, causing floodwaters to destroy the Rasuwagadhi border post and the only road linking Kathmandu to Tibet. The Government of Nepal has requested neighbouring countries to install 42 Bailey bridges to restore road links quickly. The incident underscores the need for resilient networks that can resist, absorb, adapt, and recover from disasters. Design standards need to reflect current risks, with 60% of the region's road design codes pre-dating 2015 and relying on outdated climate data. Building resilience into new infrastructure adds about 3% to overall investment needs. The World Bank estimates a return of about four dollars for every dollar invested. The region requires roughly US$31 trillion for transport infrastructure between 2025 and 2035, making climate-proofing new investment now cheaper than rebuilding later.