Heavy Rains Cause Floods and Landslides in Nepal, Disrupting Daily Life
Kathmandu, Nepal – Since Thursday night, heavy rains have been causing floods and landslides in Nepal, making life difficult for many people. Houses have been flooded, highways blocked, and flights delayed or cancelled.
Thousands of travelers are stuck on highways and at airports due to the bad weather. A major highway connecting Kathmandu Valley to other districts is closed because of a mudslide. Many domestic flights have been cancelled or delayed, with some planes having to circle in the air, waiting for the rain to stop.
The heavy rains are caused by monsoon winds bringing water vapor from the Bay of Bengal and a low-pressure system in the region. This is the fourth time that the slum area on the border of Kathmandu and Lalitpur has been flooded, forcing people to leave their homes.
Indal Mahat, a resident, said, “At around 5 in the evening, the water started entering the area from the tribune that lies quite far from the settlement. Upon seeing that, I came running in search of my parents. I was frantically searching for them and I found them in a safe place which then relieved me.”
Other areas like Bauddha, Kapan, and Banashali are also flooded. The Flood Forecasting Division has issued warnings for various districts, including Kathmandu Valley, about rising water levels in rivers.
In Jhapa district, over 299 millimeters of rain fell in the last 24 hours, which is considered extremely heavy. Rainfall above 50 mm is heavy, above 100 mm is very heavy, and over 200 mm is extremely heavy.
The Meteorological Forecasting Division expects heavy rain in parts of Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces on Friday night. Light to moderate rain is likely in most parts of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim provinces, with some thundershowers.
The monsoon season in Nepal usually starts on June 13 and ends on September 23, but this year it will last until October 2. Nepal has already received above-average rainfall this season, with 1,586.3 millimeters of rain since June 10, which is 7.2 percent above the average.
Doubts Revealed
Nepal -: Nepal is a country in South Asia, located between India and China. It is known for its mountains, including Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.
Floods -: Floods happen when there is too much water, usually from heavy rain, and it covers the land. This can cause problems like blocking roads and damaging homes.
Landslides -: Landslides occur when rocks, earth, or debris move down a slope. This can happen because of heavy rain, which makes the ground unstable.
Monsoon season -: The monsoon season is a time of the year when there is a lot of rain. In South Asia, it usually happens from June to September.
Kathmandu Valley -: Kathmandu Valley is a region in Nepal that includes the capital city, Kathmandu. It is an important cultural and economic center.
Flood Forecasting Division -: The Flood Forecasting Division is a part of the government that predicts and warns people about possible floods. They help keep people safe by giving information about heavy rains and floods.
