Landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains have resulted in the tragic loss of at least 15 lives in Nepal within the last 24 hours. Officials in the small Himalayan nation have expressed concerns that this number might escalate with the anticipated further downpours.
According to police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki, 18 individuals have sustained injuries during the flooding, while two people remain missing. Rescue operations have successfully evacuated numerous individuals to safety, with some being rescued from the debris of their damaged residences.
The landslides have severely impacted vehicle traffic throughout the country, exacerbating the already challenging travel conditions due to Nepal’s rugged terrain. Major highways and winding roads linking cities to mountainous villages have been damaged. Military and police units have been mobilized to aid in road clearance efforts.
Among the regions hardest hit by the calamity are Koshi, Gandaki, and Bagmati Provinces in the eastern and central parts of the country. Meteorologists have warned of heavy rainfall affecting the remaining provinces as the storm system progresses westward.
Nepal, being highly susceptible to the effects of climate change, regularly grapples with landslides and floods. The previous year’s monsoon season affected nearly 6,000 households, causing extensive property damage and agricultural inundation. Since the onset of the current monsoon season in June, the country has recorded the loss of at least 62 lives, according to the home ministry. The majority of fatalities were attributed to flooding, with lightning strikes also contributing to the casualty count.
The disaster response efforts in Nepal face additional challenges due to political instability and pervasive corruption issues. The coalition government in Kathmandu is currently in disarray, with a new alliance aiming to unseat Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Should Dahal be removed from office, Nepal will witness its second change in government post the parliamentary elections held in November 2022.
