Anger Rises in Nepal Over Relief Delays After Floods Claim 225 Lives

Photo : AFP

Survivors of the devastating monsoon floods in Nepal have voiced their anger over the government’s inadequate response to the disaster, which has claimed the lives of at least 225 people. The floods, which struck over the weekend, have left entire neighborhoods in the capital city of Kathmandu submerged, while remote villages in the Himalayan region are still awaiting much-needed relief.

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In the aftermath of the floods, many residents expressed frustration with the government's relief efforts. Mira KC, a villager from the Kavre district, east of Kathmandu, lamented the lack of access to her community, stating, “There is no road, so no one has come. Even if they do, those who died are dead already, and the damage is done. All they will do is offer condolences; what will they do?”

The floods have disproportionately affected the poorest residents of Kathmandu, particularly those living in informal settlements along the banks of the Bagmati River and its tributaries. Man Kumar Rana Magar, a 49-year-old slum resident, shared that authorities had temporarily provided shelter for him and his neighbors in a local school. However, they were forced to vacate before they were ready, as classes resumed.

With at least 225 confirmed deaths and 24 individuals still missing, police have reported that more than 4,000 people have been rescued from floodwaters. The Nepalese weather bureau indicated that the region experienced an unprecedented rainfall of 240 millimeters (9.4 inches) within a 24-hour period, marking the heaviest single-day downpour in over 20 years.

Experts have criticized the government for its lack of preparation despite prior warnings of severe storms. Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a climate expert at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in Kathmandu, pointed out that "precautions that should have been taken were ignored." Another disaster management expert, Man Bahadur Thapa, emphasized that poor coordination and resource allocation hampered the rescue efforts, saying, “We could have saved a lot more lives if we had prepared and built the capacity of our responders.”

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli faced significant backlash for being abroad in the United States during the floods, with many on social media calling for him to return immediately. Upon his return, he urged the nation to work together and not to criticize for the sake of criticism.

The annual monsoon rains in South Asia often bring widespread destruction and loss of life due to floods and landslides, a situation exacerbated by climate change. This year alone, over 300 people have died in rain-related disasters across Nepal, highlighting the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.

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