Floods and landslides have inundated major highways, stranding thousands of passengers and disconnecting all road links to Kathmandu, the national capital. Hundreds of houses and bridges have been buried or swept away, displacing numerous families.
A devastating series of rain-triggered landslides and floods have resulted in the tragic deaths of 132 people and left 68 others missing across Nepal over the past three days, as reported by local police and media outlets on Sunday. The calamity has particularly affected the Kathmandu Valley, where the toll has reached 48 confirmed deaths, with 21 people still unaccounted for and 15 others injured.
According to Nepal’s Home Ministry, the breakdown of fatalities reveals 68 lives lost in the Kathmandu Valley, 45 in Bagmati province, 17 in Koshi province, and two in Madhes province. The scale of the disaster has led to 100 injuries across the country, while 3,626 individuals have been safely rescued through the concerted efforts of security forces. In a notable operation, the Nepali Army deployed helicopters to rescue 193 people at risk in various locations in Kavrepalanchok.
As rescue operations continue, officials have cautioned that the casualty count may rise as recovery efforts are ongoing. The intense rainfall has caused extensive flooding and landslides that have inundated major highways, isolating thousands of passengers and severing all road links to the national capital, Kathmandu. In addition to the loss of life, hundreds of homes and bridges have been destroyed, displacing numerous families.
Schools Closed, Exams Postponed
Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki stated, “It will take at least three to four days to clear the roads,” highlighting the challenges faced in reopening crucial highways that connect Kathmandu to the rest of the country. On Saturday, rescue teams recovered 14 bodies from two vehicles that were buried in landslides near Jyaple Khola in Dhading district, along the vital Tribhuvan Highway.
In response to the ongoing crisis, authorities have mandated a three-day closure of schools starting Sunday and postponed all university-level examinations scheduled through Tuesday. The Home Ministry has mobilized all available resources to address the urgent needs of those affected by the disaster.
Home Ministry spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari confirmed, “All apparatuses have been mobilized to open the road sections of highways damaged by the disaster.” The security forces remain actively engaged in rescue and relief operations, ensuring that the injured receive timely medical attention.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of this tragic disaster, the resilience of Nepal’s communities is being tested. The government has called for national solidarity to support those affected, urging citizens to stay safe and heed warnings as more rain is forecast in the coming days.
The extent of the damage and the ongoing rescue efforts underscore the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and disaster preparedness in a country often vulnerable to natural calamities.
