LocationsImproving Lives and Livelihoods in the Areas Affected by the Jajarkot Earthquake
March 11, 2026
A mesmerizing view of hills and Himalayas from Budhagaun, Barekot Rural Municipality.
Between the rugged hills of Nepal’s largest province, Karnali Province, lie the districts of Jajarkot and Rukum West. On 3 November 2023, a powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the province, with its epicentre at Ramidada in Jajarkot. The disaster claimed 154 lives, injured 366 people, and disrupted the lives and livelihoods of nearly 250,000 people across 18 districts.
According to the Provincial Emergency Operation Center of Karnali Province, more than 62,000 private houses were affected. The earthquake also damaged livelihoods, including the production and storage of agricultural products, and destroyed 188 irrigation and drinking water systems.
Damaged irrigation at Ghetma Khola of Aathbiskot Municipality
Jajarkot and Rukum West are among Nepal’s food-insecure districts, where steep terrain and limited connectivity make livelihoods particularly fragile. Agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for more than 70 percent of the workforce. In recent years, many farmers had also begun transitioning toward commercial farming, gradually improving their incomes.
The earthquake, however, set this progress back. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Data in Emergencies Information System (DIEM) Impact Report, 21 percent of farmers reported damage to irrigation systems, while 20 percent reported damage to agricultural land.
Irrigation canals damaged by the floods and earthquakes in Jajarkot
While the devastation cannot be undone, concerted efforts are underway to rehabilitate damaged livelihood infrastructures with support from local governments and development partners. Across the affected districts, efforts are underway to help communities rebuild their lives and livelihoods, while strengthening their resilience to future disasters.
Restoring Damaged Irrigation Canals
In the village of Chhepka in Nalgad Municipality, irrigation has long been the lifeline of the community. For generations, an irrigation canal running through the settlement sustained the farmland of 122 households, including that of 35-year-old Amrita.
A mustard mill which will be functional after the damaged irrigation canal becomes functional.
Already weakened by the 2023 earthquake, it was further destroyed by landslides during the 2024 monsoon, cutting off water supply to the farms that depend on it.
Today, Amrita works alongside fellow community members to restore the canal. Equipped with tools and determination, they are rebuilding what their community has relied on for decades. In addition to earning income from her work, she is grateful to contribute to an effort that is helping strengthen the livelihoods of the entire community.
Amrita performs some tasks at the construction site in Chhepka, Nalgad Municipality.
“Once the canal is restored, I’ll be able to irrigate my field and grow enough food for my family,”Amrita Oli, Beneficiary
A similar effort is underway in Ghetma Khola of Aathbiskot Municipality in Rukum West, where the rehabilitation of a damaged irrigation canal will benefit 57 earthquake-affected households. Once restored and reinforced with concrete, the canal will provide reliable irrigation to local farms and help operate a water-powered mustard oil mill that serves the entire community.
The women-led construction group in Ghetma Khola, Aathbiskot Municipality.
Across both districts, villagers attempted to repair damaged canals using plastic sheets and roofing materials, but these temporary solutions proved ineffective.
Without proper irrigation, many fields remained barren. Local farmers reported that rice and wheat production dropped by nearly 50 quintals compared to previous years, forcing families to purchase grain from markets.
For these communities restoring irrigation systems is not just a technical intervention but a vital step toward restoring food security and livelihoods.
Community workers take a break at the construction site in Ghetma Khola, Aathbiskot Municipality.
Restoring Damaged Irrigation Ponds
In areas where farmland is small and water supply uncertain, irrigation ponds play a crucial role in sustaining agriculture. In Barekot Rural Municipality of Jajarkot, most families cultivate small plots of land where they grow maize, millet, and seasonal vegetables to support their households.
However, unreliable water supply often prevents farmers from fully utilizing their land. The hardships deepened further when the earthquake took away loved ones, homes, and livestock, leaving communities struggling to rebuild both emotionally and economically.
The completed irrigation pond at Budhagaun, Barekot Rural Municipality.
To address this challenge, UNDP’s Livelihoods Improvement and Disaster Resilience Enhancement in the Areas Affected by the Jajarkot Earthquake Project, supported by the Government of Japan, has constructed an irrigation pond in Budhagaun of Barekot Rural Municipality. The 6-meter by 3.5-meter pond provides a reliable year-round water source, enabling farmers to irrigate their fields even during dry periods. The pond will benefit at least 40 households, allowing farmers to grow cash crops, fruits, and vegetables, strengthening food security while increasing household income.
A Comprehensive Approach to Recovery
The irrigation initiatives are part of UNDP’s broader Jajarkot Earthquake Recovery Project, implemented with support from the Government of Japan.
The project is restoring 15 irrigation canals and constructing three irrigation ponds across five municipalities: Bheri Municipality, Nalgad Municipality, and Barekot Rural Municipality of Jajarkot, and Sanibheri Rural Municipality and Aathbiskot Municipality of Rukum West.
UNDP personnel assessing the damage caused by the Jajarkot earthquake at Maide, Nalgad Municipality.
Supported by the Government of Japan, these irrigation interventions alone will benefit more than 1,000 earthquake-affected households, enabling them to grow sufficient food for their families while selling surplus produce in nearby markets.
Community participation is central to the project’s approach.
Community led reconstruction at Maide, Nalgad Municipality
From sourcing construction materials locally to employing local workers, the initiative ensures that recovery efforts directly benefit the communities they aim to support. This approach not only creates immediate income opportunities but also encourages communities to take ownership of the infrastructure once it is completed.
Beyond irrigation, the project is adopting a holistic approach to strengthening livelihoods and resilience. Future interventions include the construction of market centres, common facility centres, and cold storage facilities that will help farmers store, process, and sell their produce more effectively.
Reconstructed irrigation canal at Chepka village.
Additionally, beekeeping activities have been introduced to diversify income opportunities and strengthen local resilience.
Together with the Government of Japan, local governments and the communities themselves, UNDP remains committed to helping earthquake-affected families in Jajarkot and Rukum West rebuild their lives, strengthen their livelihoods, and create a more resilient future.
A landscape view of Nalgad Municipality, Jajarkot.