Nepal Landslides Claim 10 Lives, Seven Others Still Missing After Disaster

Photo : Reuters

In Nepal, relentless monsoon rains have triggered catastrophic floods and landslides, leading to at least 10 confirmed deaths and seven individuals reported missing over the past 24 hours. Authorities reported that numerous rivers across the Himalayan nation have swollen, overflowing roads and bridges as a result of the torrential downpours. The adverse weather conditions have been exacerbated by a nearly week-long delay in the retreat of South Asia's annual monsoon, which brought widespread rainfall to the region.

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Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki reported that rescue operations are underway to clear debris and restore traffic on highways that have been blocked by landslides at 28 different locations. The situation remains dire, with the earliest respite from the heavy rains not expected until Sunday. Binu Maharjan, a weather forecasting official in Kathmandu, noted that a low-pressure system over parts of neighboring India has contributed to this year's prolonged rainfall.

“Heavy rains are likely to continue until Sunday morning, with weather conditions expected to improve afterward,” Maharjan stated. Central and eastern regions of Nepal have experienced moderate to extremely heavy rainfall, accumulating between 50 mm (2 inches) and more than 200 mm (8 inches), while other areas have recorded moderate levels of precipitation.

While international flights have been operating normally, numerous domestic flights have faced disruptions due to the weather. Rinji Sherpa, a spokesperson for Kathmandu airport, confirmed these travel challenges. The continuous rains have inundated roads and homes in the hilly capital, as rivers overflowed with more than 200 mm of rainfall.

In the southeast, the Koshi River, which is notorious for causing devastating floods in India’s eastern state of Bihar during the monsoon season, has risen above the danger level, flowing at 450,000 cusecs, compared to the normal level of 150,000 cusecs. Local authorities have warned that the river level is still on the rise, heightening fears of further flooding. Ram Chandra Tiwari, the area's top bureaucrat, highlighted the urgency of the situation.

The annual monsoon season in Nepal is historically fraught with dangers, as landslides and flash floods frequently claim hundreds of lives each year in this mountainous terrain. The current weather crisis underscores the need for vigilant preparedness and rapid response efforts to mitigate the impact on affected communities.