The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to 170, with 42 people still missing, authorities confirmed on Sunday. Torrential rain since Friday has wreaked havoc across large parts of the country, particularly in the eastern and central regions, leaving vast areas inundated and communities cut off.
Triggered by intense monsoon downpours, flash floods and landslides have caused widespread destruction, with roads, bridges, and homes swept away.
Hundreds of families have been displaced, and transport networks disrupted, leaving thousands stranded.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Rishiram Pokharel, said search and rescue operations were ongoing, with all security agencies mobilised. "The Nepal Army has airlifted 162 people from flood-affected areas, and 4,000 others have been rescued by personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force," he said.
As rescue efforts continue, officials have confirmed that 111 people have sustained injuries, with many requiring urgent medical attention.
Relief operations are also underway, with emergency supplies of food and essential items being distributed to those in need. In Kathmandu’s Balkhu area, meals were provided to 400 people, with the help of social workers.
Rescue operations underway
The flooding has led to the destruction of at least 322 houses and 16 bridges, further complicating rescue efforts. Major highways have been blocked by landslides, leaving hundreds of people stranded.
Efforts to clear roads and reopen key routes are ongoing, with transport on the crucial Tribhuvan Highway, which connects Kathmandu to other districts, resuming after temporary disruptions.
Authorities are working around the clock to restore connectivity, but the scale of the devastation has left many areas inaccessible. The impact of the floods is being felt across the country, with Dhading, Bhaktapur, and Makwanpur among the hardest-hit districts.
In Dhading district, which borders Kathmandu, 19 people were killed when a bus was buried under a landslide. In Bhaktapur, five people died when their house collapsed due to a landslide.
Meanwhile, six football players tragically lost their lives when a landslide hit a training centre operated by the All Nepal Football Association in Makwanpur.
Climate change to be blamed|
Experts are pointing to climate change and poor urban planning as key factors exacerbating the floods. Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a climate and environmental expert at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), said, "I've never before seen flooding on this scale in Kathmandu."
The Bagmati River, which runs through the Kathmandu Valley, has risen above danger levels, with floodwaters surging into communities.
ICIMOD’s report attributes the intense rainfall to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and the northern positioning of the monsoon trough, which brought unprecedented downpours to the region.
Scientists have warned that while climate change is altering the timing and intensity of monsoon rains across Asia, human activity is worsening the impact of floods.
Unplanned construction, especially on floodplains, has reduced the natural capacity for water retention and drainage, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.
Despite the bleak situation, there were signs of improvement on Sunday, with weather forecasts predicting a gradual easing of the rain by mid-week.
However, with more rain expected until Tuesday, authorities remain on high alert as the risk of further landslides and flooding continues.
Follow us
