112 Killed in Nepal Floods, 68 Missing Search Ongoing

Devastating floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have claimed the lives of at least 112 people in Nepal within the last 24 hours, according to official data. Additionally, over 100 people have been injured, and rescue operations are underway to locate 68 people who are missing due to the calamity. Several parts of the country have been submerged since Friday, and more than 200 incidents of floods and landslides have been reported by authorities. However, the number is expected to rise.

Large swathes of Nepal remain underwater, with rivers around the capital, Kathmandu, bursting their banks and inundating nearby houses. Kathmandu’s main river, the Bagmati, has also been flowing above danger levels, prompting authorities to issue warnings. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA) has stated that approximately 412,000 households could be affected due to monsoon-related disasters.

Nepal recorded an unprecedented 323 millimeters of rainfall in 24 hours on Saturday, breaking a 54-year-old record. More than 3,000 security personnel have been deployed to assist in rescue operations, with helicopters and motorboats being used to aid those trapped.

Visuals have emerged showing people stranded on rooftops or wading through deep, murky waters as they try to reach safety. Videos also show rescue teams using rafts to pull survivors to higher ground. Another video captures the moment a building collapses due to the intense flow of floodwater, while multiple highways have become inaccessible, affecting travelers and those attempting to move to safer areas.

“I have never witnessed flooding of this scale in Kathmandu before,” said Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a climate and environmental expert at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

Rain-related disasters are common in South Asia during the monsoon season, but experts warn that the intensity and frequency of such events are increasing due to climate change.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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