Urban Engineers Assessing Burnt Structures

Rapid Assessment of Fire-Damaged Buildings in Nepal

In the wake of the Gen Z-led protests that took place in late September, the government, in collaboration with the Nepal Engineering Association, has initiated a rapid assessment of public and private buildings that were set on fire during the unrest. This effort aims to determine the extent of damage and whether these structures can be repaired, retrofitted, or need to be demolished.

A total of twenty teams have been deployed, consisting of officials from the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and members of the Nepal Engineering Association. These teams are conducting post-arson assessments of the affected infrastructure to evaluate their current usability. The goal is to identify whether the buildings can be reused after minor repairs, require retrofitting to become functional again, or must be completely demolished due to severe damage.

Subash Chandra Baral, chairperson of the Nepal Engineering Association, emphasized that this is a preliminary study. “The detailed damage assessment will be conducted based on the findings from this initial phase,” he stated. So far, over 160 buildings have been assessed, many of which were damaged during the protests. Some high-profile structures, including the Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu District Court, and the Prime Minister’s Office, have received red stickers indicating they are currently uninhabitable.

Baral clarified that the red sticker does not necessarily mean immediate demolition but signifies that the buildings are not safe for occupancy at this time. “Whether the building can be reused or needs to be pulled down will be decided after a detailed damage assessment,” he added.

Impact of Fire on Building Integrity

Experts explain that fires, even those with temperatures ranging from 100°C to 200°C, can significantly affect the structural integrity of buildings. At these temperatures, moisture within cement and concrete begins to evaporate, weakening the internal bonds that hold bricks, cement, and steel rods together. This gradual loss of moisture reduces the load-bearing capacity and overall strength of the structure.

Temperatures between 300°C and 400°C can further alter the chemical composition of the cement used in construction. If the temperature exceeds this range, the damage becomes so severe that the building may no longer be usable. Even if a building appears intact after a fire, it could still collapse if exposed to an earthquake. Unlike earthquakes, where entire structures are typically affected, fire damage may vary in intensity across different parts of a building.

For example, the southern part of the Supreme Court's main building, which was less affected by the fire, may be restored, while the northern section, which suffered more extensive damage, may require major repairs or demolition. A similar situation exists with the Ministry of Energy building.

Baral noted that half of the structures in Singha Durbar, the country’s main administrative complex, are highly affected, while others have sustained less damage. This means that some buildings may be usable after repairs, while others may require more extensive work.

Widespread Destruction During the Protests

The Gen Z-led protests, which began on September 8, turned violent after 20 youths were killed in indiscriminate police firings. The following day, protesters targeted properties belonging to then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and other leaders. They also seized control of key government buildings, including the federal parliament complex, which was set on fire.

As the protests spread, the crowd moved to different locations, breaking into Singha Durbar and setting several ministries, including the Prime Minister’s Office, ablaze. Other buildings, such as the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Population, were also affected. Protesters vandalized dozens of vehicles parked inside the complex.

Fires from the September 9 arson were eventually extinguished by Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s fire brigades on September 14. In addition to national properties in Singha Durbar, protesters also burned the Bhainsepati-based ministerial quarters. Vandalism and arson continued into the next day in some areas.

Other targets included the office of the Commission for Investigation on Abuse of Authority, the Kathmandu District Administrative Office, and numerous police stations across the country. The offices of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the Department of Roads, banks, and shopping malls were also affected.

Next Steps and Timeline

Pratigya Manandhar, an information officer at the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, mentioned that the preliminary study is expected to be completed within a week. Once the initial assessments are finalized, a more detailed evaluation of the damage will be carried out to determine the best course of action for each affected building.