Nepal floods and landslides claim 151 lives, 56 missing
Nepal's worst floods in decades disrupt life, rescue operations underway
Floods and landslides due to heavy rain in Nepal have claimed 151 lives, with 56 individuals still unaccounted for as of Sunday, according to police. The government has responded by closing schools for three days. Since Friday, large areas in eastern and central Nepal have experienced severe flooding, including flash floods impacting different regions.
In the Kathmandu Valley, 37 fatalities have been reported. Floodwaters have disrupted traffic and daily activities, with locals describing the scale of devastation as the worst in 40-45 years. National highways have been blocked since Saturday, leaving hundreds stranded. Landslides have destroyed 322 houses and 16 bridges, and over 20,000 security personnel are engaged in ongoing rescue operations. Around 3,626 people have been rescued so far.
Home Ministry spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari stated that all resources are being deployed to clear landslides and reopen highways. In Dhading district, near Kathmandu, a landslide buried a bus, killing 19 people on Saturday. Another landslide killed five individuals in Bhaktapur when a house collapsed. Television footage showed police in knee-high boots clearing mud and recovering 16 bodies from two buses swept away on a major route to Kathmandu.
#BREAKING
Devasting flood in Nepal 😱😢🇳🇵
The death toll from floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to more than 150
The death toll may rise ++
Pray For Nepal 🙏😢😢🇳🇵
++++[[[[]]]#Kathmandu #flooding #NepalFloods #NepalFlood #Nepal #Floods #Landslide pic.twitter.com/a8McfvywFV
— kiran joshi (100% Follow Back) (@kiranjoshi235) September 29, 2024
Weather officials have linked the severe rainstorms to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, which affected Nepal and nearby regions in India. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) warns that unplanned development in Nepal exacerbates climate change risks. Environmental official Arun Bhakta Shrestha from ICIMOD highlighted the unprecedented level of flooding in Kathmandu. ICIMOD has urged the government and urban planners to invest in better infrastructure, including both engineered and nature-based solutions.
Heavy rainfall has caused the Bagmati River in Kathmandu to rise above dangerous levels. The intense rainfall on Saturday was due to the unusual position of the monsoon trough and the low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal. Although the water levels in the Koshi River in southeastern Nepal have started to decrease, it had been flowing at nearly three times its normal level, posing flood risks in Bihar, India.
Scientists attribute changing rainfall patterns in Asia to climate change. However, unregulated construction on floodplains has worsened flood impacts by restricting water drainage and retention. The floods and landslides have caused widespread damage to highways, homes, and bridges, displacing hundreds of families and leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the country.
What Other Media Are Saying
- France 24: Nepal shuts schools due to heavy rains causing over 100 deaths and 62 missing, with authorities urging infrastructure improvements to mitigate climate change risks.(read more)
- The Guardian reports that at least 66 people are killed and 69 missing in Nepal due to severe flooding and landslides, with many displaced and infrastructure severely damaged.(read more)
- AP News reports that at least 148 are dead in Nepal floods and landslides, with many more missing and injured, as severe rainfall disrupts daily life and infrastructure.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How many people have died due to the floods in Nepal?
The death toll has risen to 151.
What measures has the government taken in response to the floods?
The government has announced a three-day closure of schools.
What caused the severe rainfall in Nepal?
Weather officials attributed it to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal.
How many people have been rescued so far?
Around 3,626 people have been rescued.
What are experts suggesting to mitigate future flood risks?
Experts urge investment in stormwater drainage and sewage systems, including both grey and green solutions.
