Flight operations disrupted, highways blocked, and rescue efforts underway as deadly monsoon rains lash Nepal
Catastrophic Rainfall Triggers Deadly Landslides and Floods in Nepal
At least 42 people have been killed in Nepal following intense rainfall that triggered widespread landslides and flash floods across the country, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The devastation began late Friday night, when torrential downpours inundated multiple districts, cutting off road access and leaving hundreds stranded, including post-Dashain travellers.
Worst-Hit Area: Ilam District in Eastern Nepal
- 37 fatalities were reported from Ilam, where heavy overnight rains unleashed massive landslides.
- Local official Sunita Nepal stated: “With roads blocked, some areas are difficult to reach. Rescue teams are on foot.”
- Multiple villages are isolated, and communications remain disrupted.
Capital Kathmandu Sees Rivers Swell, Settlements Inundated
- Rivers flowing through Kathmandu overflowed their banks, flooding residential areas nearby.
- Emergency services have deployed helicopters, motorboats, and security personnel to aid in rescue and relief.
Transportation Chaos: Flights Delayed, Highways Blocked
- Several highways are blocked, and domestic flights disrupted, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded, many of whom were returning from Dashain festivities.
- Authorities have advised travellers to delay non-essential journeys until further notice.
Climate Change to Blame?
Experts note that while monsoon rains from June to September are typical in South Asia, climate change is amplifying the frequency, timing, and intensity of extreme weather events:
“The schedule of rainfall is becoming increasingly unpredictable. The impact is deadlier every year,” say climate scientists.
Official Statement and Ongoing Rescue Efforts
According to Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA):
“So far, 42 people have died in rain-triggered disasters, and five are reported missing.”
- Rescue missions are ongoing.
- Emergency shelters and medical camps are being set up in the worst-hit districts.
- The public has been warned to avoid riverbanks and hilly terrain prone to further landslides.
Summary
- 42 confirmed dead, 5 missing due to rain-related disasters in Nepal
- Ilam district hardest hit by landslides
- Kathmandu rivers overflow, flooding urban settlements
- Roads and flights disrupted
- Climate change cited as aggravating factor
Stay tuned for updates as Nepal battles its worst post-monsoon disaster of the year.
