News|FloodsAt least 47 killed in Nepal as heavy rains trigger landslides, flash floodsHeavy rains continue to disrupt rescue operations in the Himalayan nation as authorities struggle to respond to the crisis.
Landslides and flash floods, resulting from heavy rainfall, have resulted in the deaths of at least 47 individuals in Nepal. These events have also led to road blockages and the destruction of bridges.
Landslides and flash floods, resulting from heavy rainfall, have resulted in the deaths of at least 47 individuals in Nepal. These events have also led to road blockages and the destruction of bridges.
In the Ilam district, located in eastern Nepal near the Indian border, 35 fatalities were reported due to separate landslides, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Armed Police Force on Sun, Oct 1, 2023.
Nine individuals are missing after being swept away by floods since Friday, and three additional fatalities occurred due to lightning strikes in various parts of Nepal. Rescue operations are currently underway for the missing persons, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared public holidays on Monday and Tuesday nationwide, except for emergency services and disaster response teams, due to ongoing heavy rains. This measure was taken following forecasts of continued rainfall.
Meteorological Alerts and Infrastructure Damage
Meteorological authorities have issued red alerts for more than a dozen districts, urging residents near waterways to evacuate. The alert encompasses significant population centers, including parts of Kathmandu, with Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Madhesh provinces predicted to experience further downpours.
Landslides and flash floods, resulting from heavy rainfall, have resulted in the deaths of at least 47 individuals in Nepal.
Landslides have severely damaged transport infrastructure, including major routes into Kathmandu. The Araniko Highway and BP Highway are among the affected roadways.
Domestic flights were suspended due to poor visibility, though international flights continued with some disruptions. The spokesperson for Kathmandu airport noted that while domestic flights faced significant issues, international operations remained largely unaffected.
The Koshi River in southeastern Nepal has seen water levels rise to over twice their usual volume, prompting the opening of all 56 sluice gates at the Koshi Barrage. Authorities are considering restrictions on heavy vehicle movement across the bridge.
In neighboring India, the region of Darjeeling in West Bengal state reported at least seven fatalities due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall.
Landslides and flash floods are common in Nepal during the monsoon season, which typically spans from mid-June to mid-September. These natural disasters cause numerous fatalities annually in the region.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.