Nepal: Nepal heavy rains have triggered widespread devastation, including landslides and flash floods, blocking roads and washing away bridges across the country.
Authorities have reported that 18 people were killed in separate landslides in Ilam district, located in eastern Nepal near the Indian border. In southern Nepal, three people have died due to lightning strikes, while one person drowned in floods in Udayapur district, also in the east.
At least 11 individuals have been washed away by floods and remain missing since October 4, with rescue efforts continuing, said Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
Several highways have been rendered impassable, stranding hundreds of passengers. Domestic flight services have been largely disrupted, although international flights are operating normally, according to Rinji Sherpa, a spokesperson for Kathmandu airport.
In southeastern Nepal, the Koshi River has surged above danger levels. Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, district governor of Sunsari, reported that water flow in the Koshi River is more than double the usual levels.
Authorities have opened all 56 sluice gates of the Koshi Barrage, compared with 10–12 gates under normal conditions, and are preparing to restrict heavy vehicles from using the bridge.
In Kathmandu, several rivers have flooded roads and inundated houses, cutting the capital off from surrounding regions. Nepal’s mountainous terrain makes landslides and flash floods a frequent hazard during the monsoon season, which generally lasts from mid-June to mid-September. Hundreds of people die every year from such incidents.
Weather officials have warned that heavy rains are likely to continue until October 6. Authorities are taking maximum precautions to safeguard residents and assist those affected by the disaster. Nepal heavy rains have already caused extensive damage, and the situation remains critical in many districts.
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