Severe rains in Nepal cause landslides and flash floods, resulting in at least 47 fatalities.
Heavy monsoon rains in Nepal have led to significant challenges, including landslides and flash floods, resulting in the deaths of at least 47 individuals, while severely disrupting transportation and infrastructure across the country. Much of the devastation has occurred in the eastern Ilam district, where 35 fatalities have been reported due to landslides. These adverse weather conditions continue to impede rescue operations and complicate the government’s response to the crisis.
In the wake of these challenges, nine individuals remain unaccounted for, presumed missing after floods swept through various regions. Additionally, three fatalities have been attributed to lightning strikes during this intense weather event. According to Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, search and rescue efforts are actively underway as teams work to locate the missing persons.
In a proactive measure to manage the crisis, the Ministry of Home Affairs has declared Monday and Tuesday public holidays throughout the country, a decision aimed at directing resources toward emergency services and disaster response teams. Government spokesperson Rameshwar Dangal explained that forecasts predicting continued heavy rain justified this announcement.
Meteorological authorities have issued red alerts for over a dozen districts, prompting chief Kamal Ram Joshi to urge residents in proximity to waterways to evacuate immediately. The alert encompasses major population centers, including parts of Kathmandu, and anticipates heavy rains to persist through Monday morning.
The storm’s impact has taken a toll on transport infrastructure, rendering key routes into Kathmandu impassable due to landslides. Notably, the Araniko Highway, which connects Kathmandu to the Chinese border, has experienced multiple road collapses. Furthermore, the BP Highway, linking eastern regions, is under debris from landslides. While domestic flight operations have been suspended amid poor visibility, international flights have encountered only minor disruptions, according to Rinji Sherpa, spokesperson for Kathmandu airport.
The timing of this crisis is particularly unfortunate, coinciding with the return of hundreds of thousands of citizens from home after the Dashain celebrations, Nepal’s most revered religious festival. During this significant cultural event, many individuals travel to their native villages to visit family members.
The surge in water levels at the Koshi River in southeastern Nepal, which have exceeded normal levels, has raised particular concern. Local authorities have opened all sluice gates at the Koshi Barrage, significantly above the typical count, to manage the rising waters. This river has a history of causing extensive flooding in India’s Bihar state during the monsoon season.
Despite frequent rains and landslides resulting in annual casualties during Nepal’s monsoon season, which spans from mid-June to mid-September, the resilience and community spirit of the Nepalese people continue to shine through in times of adversity.
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