Occurs 

Comments / Details 

Yes  

In 1994, Nepal witnessed the worst drought in its history that affected 35 districts of western hilly and plain lands of Terai regions. Western Nepal has experienced consecutive and worsening winter drought conditions since 2000, culminating in a severe drought episode during 2008/09 

Yes 

Nepal lies in one of the most seismically active regions of the world and has a long history of seismic events in the past, major being the 1934 Bihar-Nepal earthquake (8 magnitude), the 1988 Nepal earthquake (6.9 magnitude), and the 2015 Gorkha earthquake (7.8 magnitude). On 3 November 2023, at local time 23:47 hrs, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, with an epicentre in Jajarkot district of Karnali Province. Historically, there has been dangerous seismic activity every 70 to 100 years in Nepal. Use of scenario ensembles for deriving seismic risk, research carried out by the Department of Geography at Durham University shows that the most at-risk districts are in rural western Nepal. 

Yes 

Malaria, Cholera and gastroenteritis are endemic in all regions of the country. During the rainy season, the possibility of breakouts of all three diseases is very high. The largest cholera outbreak, with more than 30,000 people affected, was in the Western Nepal in 2009. 

Sporadic incidence of dengue was first recorded in 2004 in different regions of Nepal. Since then, cases of dengue have risen drastically, the total confirmed cases of dengue in 2022 were 54,784 with 88 deaths. As of 7 Aug 2023, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal has recorded 9411 confirmed cases of dengue, Sunsari district of Koshi Province is highly affected this year with 5041 confirmed cases. (Situation-updates-7-August-2023.pdf (dohs.gov.np) 

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Nepal, leading to 12,031 reported deaths. To control the virus’s spread, the government instituted a nationwide lockdown for five months starting from March 24, 2020, and another two-month lockdown beginning on April 29, 2021. While the spread of the virus is now under control, few cases of a new variant of the coronavirus, JN.1, have been reported in early 2024. 

Yes 

Due to the extreme elevation changes within Nepal, there are major temperature differences. The plains of Terai bordering India, can experience very high temperatures up to 46°C in May and down to 7°C in January. Average temperatures in Nepal drop 6°C for every 1,000m gained in altitude. 

Heat waves from May to July, cold waves during November to January affects the daily lives of people in the plain lands of Terai region. Also, a constant thick fog during November-January in the plain lands of Terai regularly obstruct flights and road transport. During cold waves, vulnerable and disadvantaged population in the plain lands of Terai suffer from cold-related diseases (cold, flu and pneumonia) in large numbers and cold wave related deaths increase.  

Yes 

More than 6,000 rivers and rivulets flowing from north to south pose a varying degree of threat across the nation. Koshi in the east, Narayani in central, and Karnali and Mahakali in the west are perennial rivers who swell during the months of monsoon (June-September) and cause damage in river basins along their path. The problem of flooding and inundation is an annual risk during the monsoon and its impact on life and economy is always high.  

In the 2023 monsoon period, 92 people lost their lives in natural disaster-related incidents across the country. Similarly, 30 people have gone missing, and 168 sustained injuries in such incidents. 

(Source: (nagariknetwork.com) 

No 

The first recorded incidence of Locusts entering Nepal was in 1962 and then in 1996. Towards the end of June 2020, some swarms were seen in the fields of the central plains of Terai region.  

Yes 

Landslides are a frequent natural hazard in the hilly regions of Nepal. Both natural and human induced landslides due to steep slopes, fragile geology, high intensity of rainfall, deforestation, unplanned settlements, and roads are the major causes of landslide. The hilly districts of Nepal located in the Siwalik, Mahabharat range, Mid-land, and higher Himalayas are more susceptible to landslide  

No 

NA 

No 

NA 

Yes 

A major hazard risk, besides flood, in plain lands of Terai region is seasonal wildfire and fire in community during the dry season (March-May). Wildfire poses major threat to forests of Nepal. The worst forest fire in recent times was recorded in 2009 when 49 people, including 13 Nepal Army personnel, died in Ramechhap district while fighting wildfire. Wildfires occur mostly in the forests of mid-hills and some events are recorded in the plain lands of Terai on a regular basis during dry season. 

A total of 1,816 incidents of forest fire were reported in 2023, a dramatic increase of 76.5% as compared to the previous year. 

Source: New fire risk system for Nepal - SERVIR-HKH (icimod.org) 

Yes 

High winds with lightning and hailstone are seasonal hazards that occur during March, April, and May (pre-monsoon events) leading to loss of life, livestock, and agriculture crops.  On 31 March 2019 a tornado caused 29 death and 1985 houses damaged in Bara and Parsa districts in Madhesh Province.  

Yes 

Lightning and thunderbolt related casualties are high in Nepal. Nepal tops the list of countries with the most lightning fatalities per unit area. The cases of lightning related casualties are overlooked because they tend to be isolated events with a relatively small number of casualties. 

(Source: ReliefWeb) 

Heat waves from May to July, Cold waves during November to January affects daily lives of people in plain lands of Terai region. Also, a constant thick fog during November-January in plain lands of Terai regularly obstructs flights and road transport. During cold waves, vulnerable and disadvantaged population in the plain lands of Terai suffer from cold-related diseases (cold, flu and pneumonia) in large numbers and cold wave related deaths increase.  Lightning and thunderbolt related casualties are high in Nepal. Nepal tops the list of countries with the most lightning fatalities per unit area. The cases of lightning related casualties are overlooked because they tend to be isolated events with relatively small number of casualties. 

(Source: The Kathmandu Post)  

No 

The general situation in the country remains relatively calm. However, in recent months some street protests involving religious groups were reported in different cities of Nepal. The district administration office had imposed curfews to bring the situation under control. 

No 

Nepal has maintained amicable relations with its neighbours and other nations. However, the border dispute with India has remained unresolved in Susta and Kalapani regions.  

Yes 

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) data estimates around 93000 persons were internally displaced in Nepal in 2022. The figure refers mostly to internal displacements triggered by floods during the monsoon season and the 6.3 magnitude Doti earthquake in November 2022. 

Source: (internal-displacement.org) 

Yes 

Nepal currently hosts around 20,000 refugees, including those from Tibet, Bhutan, and other states. The main arrivals of refugees took place in 1959 with an influx from Tibet, and again in 1990/1991 with an influx from Bhutan. 

Between 2007 and 2016 more than 113,500 Bhutanese refugees were resettled to eight different countries. 

Source: Nepal | UNHCR 

No 

Nepal was declared free from landmines and unexploded ordnance in June 2011 (Source: UNDP) 

N/A 

Time Frame 

Comments / Details 

June-September  

The national highway in the country Mahendra Highway runs across the Plain lands of Terai region from east to west of the country. The highway, which is 1,028 kilometres in length is mostly single lane in each direction. Bridges and crossings along the highway are regularly damaged because of seasonal monsoon floods.  

June-September 

Postal Highway in plain lands of Terai, Middle hill Highway in Hills, and other local and urban roads in both plain lands of Terai and Hills which comprises secondary road transport are connected to main Highways. Landslides and poor road conditions are a major problem for the secondary roads. Heavy rains cause numerous landslides and cut off remote areas during the monsoon. The economic impact of this is huge as farmlands, houses and pastures can be inaccessible or are lost. 

All Seasons 

The only passenger train service in Nepal is operated by Nepal Railway between Jainagar in India to Bhangaha (Dhanusa) in Nepal (Madesh Province). It covers 52 KM between the two stations.   

Nepal also has two other rail connectivity with India that are used for cargo transport. A 6 KM long broad-gauge track connects Indian town of Raxaul to Birgunj ICD in Nepal and an eight KM track connects Bathnaha of India to Biratnagar ICD in Nepal. (Ref: 2.4 Nepal Railway Assessment) 

July- August; October-January   

Flood, Inundation, and low visibility, especially during monsoon and winter season in the plain lands of Terai and during afternoon in the mountains, often render airports inaccessible. Inadequate infrastructure and absence of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), limit the use of these airports during fogs and overcast weather and heavy wind conditions. 

Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa can accommodate large aircrafts (A330 types). Pokhara International Airport is suitable for narrow body aircrafts (A320 types).  

NA  

NA 

Time Frame 

Comments / Details 

June - September 

Lack of essential goods can become a major issue during the monsoon season when certain roads are impassable due to landslides. In hill and mountainous areas, it’s advisable to pre-position goods in anticipation of road obstructions. A lack of organized, dedicated warehousing facilities in the country is a logistics challenge. Temporary arrangements can be made by using residential houses for storage 

June -September 

Frequent rain slows down handling work during the monsoon season.  

October/November 

December-April 

Congestion at Birgunj. Customs clearance certificates are usually issued to cargo only after 6:00pm from Birgunj Customs office. The cargo truck which enter ICP in the daytime have to hold until 6pm for exiting the customs office premises. This leads to congestion at the gate and ICP premises throughout the day. Also, importers who do not have their warehouses outside of the ICP premises tend to delay the customs clearance procedures in order to tranship their cargo from truck to truck without having to store their goods in a warehouse and pay additional charges (warehouse charge if store in ICP warehouse). Therefore, the parking bay is full most of the time. The exit road is also congested due to trucks standing in queue for the whole day until six pm. These are the factors causing congestion at the ICP. 

The lack of funds available to importers to pay the tariff for immediate imported goods and they take time to manages fund also leads to congestion at dry ports and ICPs. 

Earlier, one gate was operational and now two gates are in operation, one is for containers and the other for bagged containers of iron, steel, loose cargo, and coal, causing congestion at the exit point. 

During COVID-19, only medical goods were imported into Nepal in containers and there were no export goods. Medical supplies were delivered to across the country and empty containers returned to ICD and filled open space, but no steps were taken to dispatch the empty container from the ICD area. The train does not come only to carry that empty container. There is no one to bear the cost and there is no goods to be exported using these containers. This is also another cause of container congestion in the dry port. 

An area of 10000 sqm is under construction process for the Customs Inspection section. Also, during the major festival season in October/November ports and customs points tend to get busier due to high imports for the festivities. 

Congestion at Kolkata Port. Kolkata port can process an average of 107,842 TEU per month or 3,595 per day. However, this may vary depending on the season, weather, and other factors. However, congestion at Kolkata port can be caused by congestion in Nepali dry ports due to backlog containers. Due to the lack of rakes, the surging volume of imported goods during the festive season, and the reluctance of the Container Corporation to add the required number of racks to deliver imported goods on time. In case of prolonged delays in containers not being emptied and returned, this can suddenly congest the port in Kolkata if they receive backlogged containers all at once. Also, isolated issues like restrictions imposed by local government bodies on goods vehicle movement congest Kolkata dry port however these events are not seasonal. Haldia Dock System (HDC) at the Port of Kolkota is not a deep water port, which compels deep water vessels to tranship cargo in smaller feeder vessels in Singapore / Sri Lanka before it can be sent to Kolkota. Thus, a larger number of smaller vessels entering the ports increases the chance of congestion. Also due to the low water level, which reduces maximum draught and therefore load capacity per ship, from December to April, Kolkata port tends to be congested. 

Diagram: National disaster response mechanism without Foreign Support 

Diagram: National disaster response mechanism within Foreign Support 

Sector/Cluster  

Lead  

Camp coordination and camp management cluster  

Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD)  

Education cluster  

Center for Education and human Resource Center (MoEST)  

Emergency Shelter Cluster  

Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC)  

Emergency Telecommunications cluster 

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT)  

Food Security sector  

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD)  

Health Cluster  

Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP)  

Nutrition Sector  

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD)  

Logistics Sector  

Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA)  

Protection Sector  

Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens (MoWCS) 

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Cluster  

Ministry of Women, Children & Social Welfare (MoWCSW)  

Early Recovery Cluster  

Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA)  

Yes 

22 July 1986 

N/A 

Yes 

31 May 2007 

Yes 

23 April 1999 

United Nations Agencies 

 The UN has a long-standing agreement with the Government of Nepal for duty-free importation.   

Non-Governmental Organizations 

The government has a provision to provide duty-free exemption to NGOs on an event basis.  It doesn’t have a provision to provide exemption by long-term agreements.  NGOs need to apply for duty-free exemption through the Social Welfare Council (SWC) by following specific procedures. 

Generalities  

Request for exemption is first sent to the Foreign Aid Division of the Ministry of Finance. Once the Finance Secretary or the Minister (depending upon the threshold) approves the request, the approval is sent to the Customs Department at the intended entry point where an Import Permit will be issued. Generally, importers or exporters within the territory of Nepal have to furnish the following shipping documents regarding their importation or exportation of commodities: 

• Compulsory Documents:  

• Shipper’s Import/Export declaration form (BPP) 

• Invoice 

• Packing list 

• Letter of credit 

• Certificate of origin 

• Certificate of insurance 

• Bill of Lading / Airway Bill/ Airlines Cargo Delivery Order (DO)/International Transport Document-CMR  

• Shipper’s declaration for dangerous goods  

• Industry Registration Certificates 

• Permanent Account Number (with VAT Registration and Income Tax Registration if not exempt). 

• For goods over USD 100,000 in value: A request or concurrence letter from the relevant line ministry (for example for medical supplies from the Ministry of Health and Population for medical supplies). 

Additional required documents for Food Items: 

• Optional Documents:  

• Duty- exemption letter (in case of diplomatic or exemption status); 

• Customs Transit Declaration (CTD) for import only; 

• Generalized System of Preferences GSP Form A (certificate of origin) for ready-made garments and carpets exportation to India and the European Union. 

• Concurrence certificate from the Department of Archaeology, Wildlife, Forestry, or any other agency when required for exported goods; 

• Phytosanitary certificate. 

Process to be followed  

1. Goods over 100,000 USD value: obtain request or concurrence letter from line ministry; 

2. Submit request for exemption to the Ministry of Finance's Foreign Aid Division; 

3. Finance Secretary approves request; 

4. Finance Secretary issues letter to Customs Department at intended entry point; 

5. Customs Department entry point issues Import Permit; 

6. Goods cleared through Customs at entry point. 

7. For food items, prior approval is required from DFTQC (Department of Food Technology and Quality Control) and/ or PQPMC (Plant Quarantine and Pest Management Center) depending upon types of food to be imported. The link to access both departments is NNSW - Login (Nepal National Single Window). Company or person with PAN number need to be pre registered in the system to get the import permit. 

Food 

NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) 

Medicines 

Vehicle & Spare Parts 

Staff & Office Supplies 

Telecomms Equipment 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

3 original Phyto- sanitary certificates, 3 copies, 1 original Certificate of Origin, 3 copies* 

N/A 

N/A 

3 original Phyto- sanitary certificates, 3 copies, 1 original Certificate of Origin, 3 copies* 

N/A 

1 original permit from the Department of Telecommunications, 3 copies* 

See the table below. 

None 

Importation of narcotic drugs, beef and beef products, valuable metals and jewellery are prohibited except under bag and baggage regulations. Prohibited exports include archaeological and religious artefacts, controlled wildlife, narcotics, arms, ammunition, explosives, industrial raw materials, imported raw materials, parts, capital goods, timber and logs. 

Products that may be imported only under special licenses include arms, ammunition, explosives, communication equipment, computers, TVs, VCRs, Drones, and walkie-talkies. 

Food 

NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) 

Medicines 

Vehicles & Spare Parts 

Staff & Office Supplies 

Telecoms Equipment 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 1 original, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

Yes, 3 originals, 3 copies* 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Approval from Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare must be obtained. 

Approval from Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare must be obtained. 

N/A 

Approval from Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare must be obtained. 

Approval from the Ministry of Communication must be obtained for the frequencies and bandwidth to be used. 

Generalities  

The following relief materials can be imported for search, rescue and relief: 

1. Food 

2. Medicine and materials required for treatment 

3. Clothing 

4. Blanket 

5. Tent, Mattress and temporary residential construction materials 

6. Prefabricated house including essential merchandise 

7. Floor covering, mattress and articles of bedding 

8. Mosquito nets 

9. Water purifying medicines and equipment 

Relief materials can be imported through the following major customs offices in general: 

1. Tribhuvan International Customs Office, Gauchar, Kathmandu 

2. Gautam Buddha International Airport, Siddharthanagar, Rupandehi 

3. Mechi Customs Office, Kakarvitta, Jhapa 

4. Biratnagar Customs Office, Rani, Morang 

5. Birgunj Customs Office, Birgunj, Parsa 

6. Dry port Customs Officer, Sirsiya, Parsa 

7. Bhairahawa Customs Office, Belahiya, Rupandehi 

8. Krishnanagar Customs Office, Krishnanagar, Kapilbastu 

9. Nepalgunj Customs Office, Nepalgunj, Banke 

10. Kanchanpur Customs Office, Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur 

11. Tatopani Customs Office, Liping, Sindhupalchowk 

12. Rasuwa Customs Office, Rasuwa 

Note: Besides these major entry points there are other small entry points.  

Agencies eligible to import relief materials for search, rescue and relief are: 

1. The United Nations and UN Agencies, 

2. Governmental (GOV), Intergovernmental (IGO), and Non- Governmental (NGO) organizations certified by the UN and following the framework of UN relief operation. 

3. Transport carriers contracted by these agencies for transportation of relief consignment(s) and/or possessions of disaster relief personnel as bona fide participants within the framework of a UN relief operation. 

4. International humanitarian organizations, institutions, and agencies under agreement with the Government of Nepal. 

5. Government agencies of a foreign country. 

6. Organizations importing relief materials intended to deposit in a warehouse specified by the Government of Nepal. 

7. Any other agency as specified by the Government of Nepal. 

Provision for temporary import of relief materials for the use in search, rescue and relief operations can be granted on the condition of re-export of such goods and maintaining a record of details of the goods. 

After a disaster or emergency, the Ministry of Home Affairs or Ministry of Finance can issue a directive to waive customs duties and taxes for importation of priority relief items* for a specified time period. Notwithstanding the list above, the government can amend the list to add or delete items, which will be specified in the directive by applicable customs sub-title category and by relief item type. 

The national logistics cluster will share the customs duty waiver directive with humanitarian agencies.  

For Fast-Track customs clearance of relief materials, the Government departments involved, and the Customs department will expedite clearance of the relief materials to complete customs clearance within 24 hours or less, round the clock, provided that the customs declaration is complete and complies to the requirements. Clearance will also be done with priority when documents are submitted prior to the arrival of the relief materials. 

The Fast-Track process has the same steps and document requirements as the regular regime (non-emergency response). 

In case a national emergency has been declared, a “One-stop shop” may be started, that brings together staff from all the selected government agencies necessary to expedite clearance of humanitarian relief cargo. This was done at Tribhuvan International Airport during the 2015 earthquake relief operations, and during the COVID-19 response.   

Process to be followed  

1. Goods over 100,000 USD value: obtain request or concurrence letter from line ministry. 

2. Submit request for exemption to the Ministry of Finance's Foreign Aid Division. 

3. Finance Secretary approves request. 

4. Finance Secretary issues letter to Customs Department at intended entry point. 

5. Customs Department entry point issues Import Permit. 

6. Goods cleared through Customs at entry point. 

Documents to be submitted for the Customs declaration: 

1. Invoice or donation letter with details (including the value of the goods) or Simplified Declaration Form as per Annex-1 of the “Customs clearance procedure for relief materials, 2017” 

2. Packing list. 

3. Bill of lading or airway bill or International Transport Document.  

4. Authorization letter addressed to Customs to release the goods on behalf of the importer. 

5. Customs Transit Declaration (CTD) form in case of third-country import. 

6. UN Certificate duly signed has to be submitted for import from the UN and UN related agencies. 

When immediate release of the goods is required imported by the UN or its specialized agencies or to be imported on the recommendation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs or imported on behalf of Government, the same shall be permitted even if temporary or incomplete declaration is made, provided the required documents are submitted and the necessary Customs procedures are complied with, within 30 days of the release of the goods.