Kathmandu: Relentless rainfall since Thursday has killed at least 14 people across Nepal, with inundation, flooding and landslides reported from several parts of the country, prompting alerts and warnings.
Early morning today, authorities issued a warning for residents living along the Narayani River in Central Nepal after it crossed the warning level of 9 metres and entered settlements. Highways leading to Chitwan, which serves as a juncture for travel across the nation, also remain blocked, with landslides reported at multiple locations.
At least six people had died in rain-induced disasters from Thursday until Saturday evening, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA). Four additional people were killed in a landslide incident in Myagdi District on Sunday morning.
“In Annapurna Village Council, four people have been confirmed dead in a landslide,” Bharat Kumar Pun, the Chairperson of the Village Council, confirmed to ANI.
According to the official, landslides at multiple locations have hindered search and rescue operations, while conditions have been deteriorating with the continuous downpour.
Similarly, a landslide in adjoining Baglung District also killed four additional people, a local official confirmed to ANI.
“In Nishikhola Village Council of Baglung District, four people have died after being buried in a landslide. The incident occurred this morning in Ward Number 3, Hardra,” Prem Bahadur Gharti Magar, the Deputy Chairperson of the Village Council, told ANI over the phone.
The Kaligandaki River flowing through the district has also swept away houses and bridges, disconnecting road connectivity.
Security forces have been carrying out evacuations in multiple districts following inundation and the risk of floods, moving thousands of people to safer locations.
The latest disaster in the Himalayan nation comes a month after the tragedy of the Bhotekoshi floods, which so far have claimed over 1,400 lives and left over 6,000 missing.
The flood struck riverside settlements in Rasuwa district on the morning of Aug. 26 (Bhadra 10, 2083), rapidly affecting neighbouring areas including Nuwakot and Dhading.
Infrastructure losses underscore the scale of the event. Eight operating hydropower projects (281 MW) and four under construction (388 MW) were damaged, disrupting 431.1 MW of generation capacity. Major sections of the Galchhi–Betrawati–Rasuwagadhi road and the Prithvi Highway were destroyed or heavily damaged, along with 48 suspension bridges and 31 motorable bridges.
