At least 51 people were killed in Eastern Nepal’s Ilam district over the past 24 hours following severe landslides and flooding.
According to the Armed Police Force Headquarters in Kathmandu, monsoon-related disasters since Friday have claimed numerous lives across Nepal. Koshi province reported 36 deaths, while three fatalities were recorded in Madhesh. In Ilam alone, landslides have caused 27 deaths, with five individuals unaccounted for. Floods and landslides in Udayapur have claimed two lives, leaving one person injured.
Lightning strikes have also contributed to the casualties: one person was killed and three were injured in Khotang, two were injured in Bhojpur, and three fatalities occurred in Madhesh. Rivers swept away one individual in Bara, four in Rasuwa, and one in Kathmandu. Another person was injured by lightning in Makwanpur.
PM Modi Offers Assistance To Nepal
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered assistance to Nepal, which has been facing heavy rainfall since Friday, causing landslides, floods, and waterlogging in several areas.
“The loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing. We stand with the people and the Government of Nepal in this difficult time. As a friendly neighbour and first responder, India remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required,” PM Modi posted on X.
Nepal Battles Aftermath of Heavy Rains: Landslides, Floods, and Disrupted Transport
Heavy rains have lashed Nepal since Friday, but the situation eased slightly by Sunday morning, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reported.
According to the department, most districts saw reduced rainfall, with Lalitpur in the Kathmandu Valley recording the highest amounts. Light showers continued in parts of Kathmandu, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, and Ramechhap.
Despite the general decrease in rain, the department cautioned that hilly areas of eastern Koshi Province could experience heavy rainfall on Sunday afternoon and night.
Landslides triggered by the downpours have damaged multiple highways, disrupting transportation. The Nepalese government has maintained its ban on vehicle movement in and out of the Kathmandu Valley.
Key highways, including the Prithvi Highway connecting Kathmandu to western Nepal, the BP Highway linking the capital to southeastern Nepal, and the Araniko Highway toward the Chinese border, remain fully blocked. Similarly, the Pasang Lhamu, Koshi, and Siddhicharan highways are also impassable.
Due to landslide and flood risks, long-distance transport services across five provinces—Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini—have been suspended, the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division said in a social media update.
(With IANS Inputs)