Nepal: Death Toll Rises To 112 As Heavy Rain Triggers Landslides, Floods; Several Missing

Disastrous floods, landslides and inundation triggered by heavy rain have wreaked havoc in Nepal in the last 24 hours. As per the official data, death toll has risen to 112 and several people are missing.

Reportedly more than 100 people have sustained injuries in the calamity and 60 people have gone missing.

According to the (Armed Police Force) APF and Nepal Police, till Sunday morning, a total of 34 people were found dead in Kavrepalanchowk, with 20 in Lalitpur, 15 in Dhading, 12 in Kathmandu, seven in Makwanpur, four in Sindhupalchowk, three in Dolakha and five each in Panchthar and Bhaktapur districts.

Nepal Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak told media that the recent rainfall has caused severe damage to Kathmandu and the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been conducting search and rescue operations.

“The government's priority right now is to rescue the people and help those who have been affected,” added Lekhak.

Nepal Police Deputy Spokesperson, Bishwo Adhikari, informed that 66 people were killed across the country, including 34 in the Kathmandu Valley. The floods have also left 60 people injured, and more than 3,000 individuals have been rescued.

National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority (NDRRMA), Nepal has issued warning to 56 out of 77 districts of potential disasters due to the rains. It has asked citizen to remain cautious of the disaster.

What Triggered The Floods?

Country’s capital Kathmandu on Saturday, received a record-breaking rainfall in last 54 years with 32 millimetres of rainfall. This rainfall is associated with monsoon season and it has caused widespread destruction and overflowing of rivers.

Bagmati River and its tributaries overflowed beyond their banks, flooded homes, streets, and vehicles.  Security personnel have been deployed in these areas.

Notably, the Himalayan country, Nepal has always suffered damages and destruction like this during monsoon season. Floods and landslides of this severity has hit the country earlier also. It becomes more risky in months from July to September.

An official has confirmed that there is likely to be an increase in the death toll as search and rescue mission proceeds in the affected areas.

Effect Of Nepal’s Flood In India

Bihar government has alerted for floods in the northern and central regions due to rising water levels in rivers following the discharge of water from Birpur barrage.

“The water level of rivers Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Kamla Balan and Mahananda and Ganga-- has been rising across the state, following continuous rainfall over the past two-three days. Incessant rainfall in the catchment areas of Nepal has led to rivers touching or flowing above the danger level at several places in the bordering districts," a senior official said.

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