Nepal Hit With Deadly Floods, Landslides

Nepal faces devastating floods and landslides, with the death toll rising as rescue efforts continue amid widespread destruction.

At a Glance

Monsoon floods and landslides have had a devastating impact in Nepal.
Kathmandu experienced its heaviest rainfall in over two decades.
Over 4,000 people have been rescued by Nepal’s army.
Damage to infrastructure has disrupted supplies and power to major cities.

Devastating Floods and Landslides Ravage Nepal

Nepal is grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding and landslides that have claimed over 200 lives. The catastrophe, triggered by intense monsoon rains, has left a trail of destruction across the nation, with the capital city Kathmandu bearing the brunt of the calamity.

Home ministry spokesman Rishi Ram Tiwari stated per a September 30 report, “According to the latest figures, 200 have died, 127 are injured and 26 are still missing.” However, according to AFP, Nepal’s Home Ministry raised that death toll to at least 209 with 29 missing. The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local authorities and rescue teams, who are working tirelessly to reach those affected by the floods and landslides.

#NSTworld Nepal surveys flood wreckage as death toll reaches 209https://t.co/7mbaO0eg37

— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) September 30, 2024

Kathmandu Cut Off and Infrastructure Damaged

The floods have had a severe impact on Nepal’s infrastructure, temporarily cutting off Kathmandu from the rest of the country due to landslides blocking major highways. This isolation has disrupted the supply of essential goods, including fresh produce, leading to soaring market prices in the capital. Binay Shrestha, from one of the city’s main produce markets, told AFP, “The farmers have their produce ready but with the highways blocked, all of it is stuck.”

“Mostly informal settlements have been affected,” said Nilkantha Pandey of the humanitarian organisation CARE Nepal.

The disaster has also taken a toll on Nepal’s power infrastructure, with at least 20 hydropower plants, having a combined capacity of 1100 MW, sustaining damage. This has led to widespread power supply disruptions in Kathmandu and other major cities, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

Rescue Operations and Humanitarian Crisis

Nepal’s army has been at the forefront of rescue operations, successfully evacuating over 4,000 people using helicopters, motorboats, and rafts. However, the challenge remains immense as many flood-affected individuals still require safe drinking water and temporary housing. Rescuers are clearing mud from riverside neighborhoods, many of which are unauthorized slum settlements, highlighting the vulnerability of these communities to natural disasters.

The government has taken the step of closing schools and colleges across Nepal for three days to facilitate rescue and recovery efforts. This decision underscores the severity of the situation and the need for a focused response to the crisis.

As Nepal continues to grapple with this devastating natural disaster, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasing vulnerability of mountainous regions to extreme weather events. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and sustainable urban planning to mitigate the impact of future calamities.