192 Dead in Nepal Floods; Search Continues for 30 Missing

The death toll from floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to 192, with 30 people still missing. Officials reported the devastating impact of rain-triggered disasters across eastern and central Nepal, which began on Friday.

According to police, the floods and landslides have claimed 192 lives. The Home Ministry confirmed that 30 individuals remain unaccounted for due to the floods and landslides. Additionally, 94 people sustained injuries in these incidents. Rishiram Pokharel, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, stated that search and rescue operations are ongoing. The Nepal Army has airlifted 162 people from various affected areas.

So far, rescue teams, including the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, have saved approximately 4,000 people from the flood’s impact. They have also distributed essential relief materials, including food grains, to those rescued. In the Balkhu area of Kathmandu, social workers provided meals to 400 people in need.

Heavy rain has blocked national highways since Saturday, stranding hundreds of travelers. Authorities are working diligently to clear these roads, which have been obstructed by landslides and floods. Fortunately, transport has resumed on the Tribhuvan Highway, the main route connecting Kathmandu to other districts.

The floods have caused significant damage, destroying at least 322 houses and 16 bridges across the country. Eyewitnesses report that this flooding is the worst seen in the Kathmandu Valley in over 40 years. Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a climate and environmental expert at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), remarked, “I’ve never before seen flooding on this scale in Kathmandu.”

The Bagmati River in Kathmandu has surged above danger levels due to relentless rainfall over the weekend. According to ICIMOD, a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and an unusually high position of the monsoon trough contributed to the intense rainfall.

Scientists warn that climate change is altering rainfall patterns in Asia. However, unplanned construction on floodplains worsens flooding impacts by reducing water retention and drainage areas. The recent floods and landslides have disrupted daily life in many regions, leaving families displaced and infrastructure severely damaged. Thousands of passengers remain stranded as road disruptions continue.