More than 240 millimeters of rain inundated the Kathmandu Valley in just 24 hours. The Bagmati and Nakkhu rivers surged two meters above safe levels, overflowing their banks and inundating large swathes of the capital. In Kathmandu alone, at least 37 people were killed.
In a year that has tested Nepal’s resilience to the core, the 2024–25 Nepali calendar year became a grim reminder of how deeply vulnerable the country is to the mounting impacts of climate change. From devastating floods and landslides to glacial lake outbursts, nearly every corner of Nepal bore witness to extreme weather events that left hundreds dead, thousands displaced, and critical infrastructure in ruins.
While Nepal is no stranger to seasonal monsoon rains and seismic threats, the scale, frequency, and ferocity of disasters this past year were unlike anything the country had experienced in decades. It marked a turning point—a year where climate-induced tragedies became not occasional interruptions, but an ever-present threat to life and livelihood.
The national broadcaster, Radio Nepal, said on Wednesday that “In the year 2024 and the first few months of 2025, Nepal endured a string of catastrophic climate-related events that left the nation in mourning.”
June Tragedy: Landslide Sweeps Buses Into Trishuli
The deadliest event of early 2024 occurred in June, when a colossal landslide near Simtal along the Narayangadh-Muglin road swept away two passenger buses. Of the 62 passengers onboard, 59 lost their lives. The buses plunged into the turbulent Trishuli River, and while 24 bodies were recovered, 35 passengers remain unaccounted for. Only three people miraculously survived.
The tragedy underscored how rainfall-induced landslides, amplified by deforestation and haphazard road construction, are turning highways into death traps. It also reflected the urgent need to reassess Nepal’s transport routes through geologically sensitive zones.
“The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology attributed it to persistent rain and rising temperatures, calling for further research into glacial lake threats,” Radio Nepal said.
August: Glacial Lakes Burst in Thame, Solukhumbu
By mid-August, Nepal was grappling with another form of climate hazard—glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). On August 16, two glacial lakes above the village of Thame in Solukhumbu District burst due to rising temperatures and heavy rain, sending a torrent of ice-cold floodwater through the Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality. The sudden deluge damaged homes, displaced 135 residents—including 40 children—and disrupted communication lines and roads.
Initially believed to be caused by a blocked river, an aerial survey confirmed the breaches originated from melting glacial lakes. With the temperature soaring to 15°C that day—a sharp rise in the Everest region—the risk of more such disasters looms large.
Quoting the EU’s disaster relief agency, ECHO, ReliefWeb reported: “A glacial lake outburst occurred in the Koshi province (the easternmost province of Nepal) on 16 August, causing flash floods and mudslides that resulted in displacement and damage. Media report, as of 19 August, 135 displaced people, 93 rescued people, 20 destroyed houses, one destroyed school and one destroyed health facility across the area of the Thame village”
September: The Worst Floods Since 1970
What followed in late September was a catastrophe of historic proportions. Between September 26 and 28, Nepal experienced its heaviest rainfall since 1970. A low-pressure system hovering over the Bay of Bengal and northern India triggered unrelenting downpours, particularly across eastern and southeastern Nepal.
More than 240 millimeters of rain inundated the Kathmandu Valley in just 24 hours. The Bagmati and Nakkhu rivers surged two meters above safe levels, overflowing their banks and inundating large swathes of the capital. In Kathmandu alone, at least 37 people were killed, with 56 total deaths reported in the wider valley.
Nationwide, the storm killed at least 224 people, left 28 missing, and injured more than 150. Some 13,300 residents had to be rescued from submerged homes or rooftops. The government mobilized over 30,000 personnel from the military and police for rescue and cleanup efforts.
The human toll was staggering, but so too was the economic cost: approximately US$340 million in losses, roughly 0.7 per cent of Nepal’s GDP. Critical infrastructure—including 54 bridges, 26 hydropower plants, and 1,678 water and sanitation systems—was heavily damaged. Prithvi and BP highways were rendered impassable by landslides, temporarily cutting Kathmandu off from much of the country.
The UN website reported that UN Humanitarians said that, “more than 215 people, including 35 children, have been killed and dozens are missing after heavy rains triggered flash floods and landslides across Nepal.” UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
Kathmandu Brought to a Halt
The capital city came to a virtual standstill. Schools and universities closed for three days. Flights from Tribhuvan International Airport were cancelled. Many neighborhoods plunged into darkness without electricity or internet, while broken waterpipes left thousands without clean drinking water.
UNICEF expressed grave concern over the disaster’s impact on children, reporting 35 child fatalities and warning of heightened risks of violence and exploitation in temporary shelters. At least 12 schools were completely destroyed, further disrupting education.
Vehicles traveling to and from Kathmandu were buried under landslides, with 35 bodies later recovered from the wreckage on Prithvi Highway. In another horrific incident, two buses en route to the capital were consumed by mudslides, killing all aboard.
Faced with mounting disaster zones, the Government of Nepal declared 71 municipalities across 20 districts as disaster emergency areas. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) took charge of assessing the damage and coordinating relief.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Authority (NDRRMA), at least 41 road sections and 37 major highways were damaged or blocked. Telecommunications suffered severe setbacks, with 446 units destroyed. Eleven hydropower facilities went offline, raising concerns about energy shortages during the upcoming winter months.
Earlier Monsoon Damage
The deluge in September capped a monsoon season already riddled with damage. In early July and again in mid-August, floods and landslides—especially in Gandaki and Sudurpaschim Provinces—had already caused significant destruction. Gandaki, in particular, saw multiple road sections washed away, isolating communities and disrupting economic activity.
In Sudurpaschim, rainfall exceeding 624 mm in a single day broke all previous records. The intensity and unpredictability of the rainfall overwhelmed existing drainage systems, leading climate experts to sound alarms about the need for long-term adaptation strategies.
A Nation Ill-Prepared for a New Normal
Dr. Maheshwor Dhakal from the Climate Change Division described 2024–25 as a “watershed year,” where the consequences of climate inaction became vividly clear. “We are witnessing the frontlines of the climate crisis. These disasters were not isolated events—they are interconnected, driven by the same root causes: rising global temperatures, glacial melt, and erratic weather patterns,” he noted.
Climate researchers have long warned that Nepal—situated in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem—is among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. Yet, poor urban planning, unregulated construction, and inadequate disaster preparedness continue to compound the risks.
In Kathmandu, many buildings are erected on floodplains without proper drainage or zoning regulations. The uncontrolled sprawl of settlements into vulnerable zones, combined with aging infrastructure, means that even moderate rainfall can now trigger major disasters.
The Path Ahead: Urgent Calls for Adaptation
The events of 2024–25 have left policymakers, scientists, and citizens calling for urgent reform. Experts are demanding better early warning systems, stricter enforcement of building codes, and climate-resilient infrastructure investments.
“Adaptation is no longer a choice. It’s a necessity,” said Dr. Dhakal. “The costs of inaction will only rise, not just in monetary terms but in human lives.”
There are signs of hope. Several international organizations have pledged support for Nepal’s climate resilience efforts. The government has initiated plans to map glacial lakes, strengthen embankments along major rivers, and build more weather-resilient infrastructure.
But for thousands of families who lost their homes, loved ones, or livelihoods this past year, recovery remains a long and painful road.
As the monsoon approaches again in 2025, Nepal stands at a crossroads—either to adapt and fortify itself against the future or to risk reliving the nightmares of the year that shook the Himalayas.
