Nepal hit by large-scale flooding and landslides, with death toll exceeding 100 in three days

Nationwide Flood Alert… Nighttime Highway Driving Prohibited, School Closure Order

A flooded area in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Bagmati River overflowed due to heavy rain. [AP=Yonhap News]

‘Heavy rainfall in Nepal since the 27th has caused massive floods and landslides, resulting in over 100 deaths in three days.’

‘According to reports from foreign press including AP and AFP on the 29th local time, Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, experienced heavy rainfall of up to 322.2mm per day starting on the 27th, causing the Bagmati River and its tributaries to overflow and levees to collapse.’

‘As a result, most areas of Kathmandu were flooded, some houses were washed away by water, and roads and bridges were submerged. Landslides occurred, blocking major highways connecting Kathmandu with other areas. Domestic flights were suspended at the airport. Most areas in Kathmandu experienced power and internet outages for a while.’

‘In the vicinity of Kathmandu, two buses were buried in a landslide on a highway, resulting in 14 deaths.’

‘The Nepalese Ministry of the Interior reported that due to this rainfall, 37 deaths occurred in Kathmandu alone, bringing the nationwide death toll to 104, with 64 people missing. They also stated that over 3000 people were rescued.’

‘The Nepalese authorities have issued a nationwide flood alert and prohibited nighttime driving on highways. The Nepalese Ministry of Education has ordered a three-day closure of schools and universities nationwide.’

‘Nepalese police and military personnel are using heavy equipment to repair roads, while rescue teams are using helicopters and rubber boats to search for missing persons.’

‘In Nepal, located in the Himalayas, hundreds of people die each year due to landslides and floods during the monsoon season.’

‘The Nepalese Meteorological Department stated that the monsoon season typically starts in June and ends by mid-September, but this year, due to a persistent low-pressure system in parts of India, the monsoon season has been extended by more than a week with continuous heavy rainfall expected until this weekend, followed by clear weather.’

‘AFP reported that the frequency and severity of floods and landslides are increasing due to climate change.’