Nepal: Floods, Landslides Wreak Havoc As 170 Dead And Several Missing

Residents of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, are grappling with the aftermath of horrific floods that brought about widespread destruction on Sunday, September 29, 2024, and killed at least 170 people across the country. Flash floods and landslides across localities left thousands without homes as well as many more injured by the relentless pounding of monsoon rains across the region.

Back to Mud-Caked Homes
Many families were able to return to their homes, trying to take stock of the havoc that the incessant rain had wreaked. A resident of a slum near a riverbank, recounted the ordeal of leaving his home. “This morning we returned and everything looks different,” he said. “We couldn’t even open the doors of our house; it is jammed with mud. Yesterday, we feared that water would kill us, but today we have no water to clean.”

Rising Casualties And Ongoing Rescue Efforts

The Home Ministry said 170 have died, with another 42 still missing. Emergency teams are working hard at rescuing over 3,000 people from floodwaters and clearing roads blocked by landslides, making access to the capital again possible. In one blow, 35 were killed in a landslide on a highway south of Kathmandu when three vehicles were buried by the mudslide.

Record Rainfall and Overflowing Rivers

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reported unprecedented rainfall, as one station at Kathmandu’s airport recorded about 240 millimeters, or 9.4 inches, of the highest amount on record since 2002. Rivers Bagmati and its tributaries overflowed, flooding houses and vehicles. In the desperate search for higher ground, residents fought through chest-deep waters.

Another local woman, Bishnu Maya Shrestha, recalled how she had to jump from one rooftop to another to escape the rising waters. “Finally, they came with boats to rescue us,” she said.

Security Forces And Humanitarian Support Mobilised

To the crisis, over 3,000 security personnel have been deployed. They utilize helicopters and motorboats to aid rescue efforts. Humanitarian organizations are also doing their share as crisis bears down, giving out much-needed supplies and evacuation centers to those who are devastated.

Flights Resume As Recovery Starts

Over 150 domestic flights going into and coming out of Kathmandu had been canceled as of Sunday morning after being stalled by the severe weather. This summer’s monsoon is the deadliest, with most of South Asia’s annual rainfall in three months. Climate change was said to have increased the frequency and intensity of such disasters, triggering even more devastating floods and landslides every year.