Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered floods and landslides in Nepal, leaving 47 people dead and 11 missing so far. The disaster occurred as water levels in eight major rivers of the country rose above danger marks.
In neighboring India, at least 7 people were killed in landslides in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district. Police reported that bodies of seven victims have been recovered, while search operations are underway for two others still missing.
Kalidas Dhauboji, spokesperson for Nepal Armed Police Force, confirmed that in the eastern Ilam district, 35 people died in separate landslides, while 3 others were killed by lightning and one person died in floods in Udayapur district. Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the 11 missing.
On Sunday (October 5), Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reported that the Bagmati, Sun Koshi, Arun, Tamor, Koshi, Burikhola, and Biring Khola rivers were all flowing above danger levels. To control the rising water pressure, all 56 gates of the Koshi Barrage have been opened.
The floods have washed away roads and bridges, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded in different areas. At Kathmandu Airport, domestic flights have been severely disrupted, though international flights remain unaffected.
Nepal’s Disaster Management Authority has warned of the possibility of more floods and landslides as heavy rainfall continues. The Meteorological Department has forecast that rainfall may persist until Monday (October 6).
Source: Reuters