Devastating Floods and Landslides Claim Over 125 Lives in Nepal

Nepal is grappling with one of its worst natural disasters in recent years as relentless monsoon rains have triggered severe flooding and landslides, resulting in a significant loss of life. As of Sunday, the death toll has risen to at least 126 people, with dozens more reported missing.

The heavy rainfall, which began late on Thursday, has battered much of the country, particularly the eastern and central regions. The capital city, Kathmandu, and its surrounding districts have been hit hardest, with over half of the deaths recorded in these areas. Local reports indicate that the rainfall in Kathmandu is the worst the city has witnessed in decades.

Widespread Destruction and Disruption

The floods have inundated whole neighborhoods in Kathmandu, causing flash floods in rivers that cut through the city. Key roads connecting the capital to the rest of the country have been blocked by landslides, severely disrupting transportation and communication. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to retrieve bodies and find missing individuals, including retrieving 14 bodies from two buses buried in rubble on a highway near Kathmandu.

In addition to the loss of life, the floods have also caused significant infrastructure damage. Power and internet outages have been reported in several areas, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts. The government has responded by shutting schools and colleges across Nepal for three days to ensure public safety.

Weather Conditions and Rescue Efforts

Weather conditions improved on Sunday, allowing rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations to proceed more effectively. However, authorities warn that the death toll is expected to climb further as more information emerges from rural areas throughout the mountainous nation.

The heavy rainfall is attributed to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal extending over parts of neighboring India. This weather system has exacerbated the monsoon rains, leading to the catastrophic flooding and landslides in Nepal.