Nepal Floods: 170 Dead, 42 Missing

The death toll from the floods in Nepal has reached 170, with 42 people still missing. Approximately 4,000 individuals have been affected by flood-related incidents. According to the Home Ministry spokesperson Rishiram Pokharel, relief materials have been distributed. National highways across Nepal have been blocked, trapping many individuals due to landslides.

A total of 111 people have sustained injuries due to floods and landslides. The Nepal Army has airlifted 162 individuals to safety from various parts of the country. Pokharel stated that all necessary relief supplies, including food grains, have been provided to those affected.

In the Balkhu area on the outskirts of Kathmandu, meals were distributed to 400 people with assistance from social workers. The floods have damaged at least 322 houses and 16 bridges throughout Nepal.

Eyewitnesses have described this flood as unprecedented. Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a climate and environmental expert, confirmed that such devastation has not been seen in Kathmandu for decades. Reports indicate that the main river, the Bagmati, is flowing above danger levels.

The recent flooding is attributed to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and the unusual position of the monsoon trough. Climate change is altering rainfall patterns across Asia, contributing to the increasing severity of floods.

Thousands of travelers are stranded in various locations due to road blockages. On Saturday, a bus was buried in a landslide in Dhading district, resulting in 19 fatalities. Additionally, five people died when a house collapsed in Bhaktapur, and six football players were killed at a training center in Makwanpur.

While rain is forecasted to continue until Tuesday, there are signs of easing on Sunday, providing a glimmer of hope for the affected areas.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

See Full Bio