Flash floods that struck Nepal about two weeks ago swept through mountain settlements and river valleys, destroying roads and bridges. Roughly 7,500 homes were destroyed and another 20,000 are in need of rebuilding, according to early assessments. At least 12 hydropower projects were also damaged.

The damage estimate so far stands at $2.56 billion, a significant sum for a country whose total budget for the current fiscal year is about $14 billion.

The disaster comes at a difficult time for Nepal, which has been emerging from months of political turmoil. An uprising toppled the previous government, and Prime Minister Balen Shah, who is 36, took office in March.

The new administration now faces the task of repairing damaged infrastructure and restoring political stability. It also confronts a longer-term challenge: building a more resilient country as climate change increases Nepal's exposure to extreme weather.