Kathmandu: Nepal is reeling from the impact of relentless monsoon rains that have triggered devastating landslides and floods across the country, leaving at least 47 people dead and several others missing. The torrential downpours, which began late last week, have caused widespread destruction, blocking key highways, collapsing bridges, and isolating villages in the rugged Himalayan terrain.
According to Nepal’s Armed Police Force, the eastern district of Ilam has suffered the worst devastation, with 35 people losing their lives in a series of landslides that buried homes and blocked mountain roads. Three others died after being struck by lightning, while at least nine people remain missing, feared swept away by raging floodwaters. Rescue teams, supported by local volunteers and military personnel, are struggling to reach remote areas where communication lines have been severed and roads washed away.
Emergency response units have been deployed with helicopters and heavy machinery, but persistent rainfall and unstable slopes have hampered operations. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable hillside settlements to evacuate, warning that further landslides are likely if the rain continues.
The continuous downpour has severely disrupted transportation across the country. Several major highways connecting Kathmandu to the eastern and western regions have been blocked by debris and mudslides. Many bridges have been swept away or rendered unsafe, cutting off essential supply routes. Hundreds of travelers remain stranded on highways, awaiting clearance and relief.
In the capital city, rivers swollen by days of rainfall have overflowed their banks, flooding low-lying areas and submerging roads. Domestic air services have been suspended due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions, though international flights are reportedly operating on limited schedules.
In southeastern Nepal, the mighty Koshi River infamously known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” has risen dangerously above safety limits. To reduce pressure on the river system, all 56 sluice gates of the Koshi barrage have been opened for the first time in years, compared to the usual 10 to 12 gates. The move was essential to prevent the river from breaching its embankments, which could endanger thousands of lives downstream. Vehicular movement across the barrage bridge has been halted for safety reasons, as authorities monitor water levels round the clock.
The effects of the extreme weather have spilled across the border into India’s West Bengal state, where heavy rains triggered landslides in the hilly Darjeeling district. At least seven people have been confirmed dead, and two others remain missing. Officials have warned of continued instability in the region, with fresh slides expected if rainfall persists.
Nepal’s monsoon season usually lasts from mid-June to mid-September, but this year’s rains have extended into October, defying seasonal patterns. Meteorologists have attributed the prolonged precipitation to a delayed monsoon withdrawal and regional climate irregularities. Authorities have issued alerts for continued heavy rainfall until Monday, urging citizens to exercise maximum caution and avoid riverbanks and steep slopes.
Landslides and flash floods are an all-too-familiar tragedy in Nepal, where mountainous topography and unplanned construction make the terrain extremely vulnerable during the monsoon months. Each year, hundreds lose their lives and thousands are displaced as rivers overflow and slopes collapse under torrential rain.
This year’s disaster once again underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable land-use planning in one of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions.