Nepal Floods and Landslides: 170 Dead, Rescue Operations Ongoing
Kathmandu, Nepal – The death toll in Nepal has risen to 170 after heavy rain caused floods and landslides on Saturday. Rescue operations are in progress across the country.
Damage and Rescue Efforts
Small landslides, uprooted trees, and debris are visible near the Thankot Check Post. A 6.8-kilometre section of the Tribhuvan Highway is blocked by a mudslide, burying multiple vehicles. Gautam KC, Chief of the Dhading District Police, reported that four buses were buried, with three already visible.
Excavators are working to find the remains of the buses. Rescuers have found dead bodies buried under the debris, which are being transported to Kathmandu for autopsy and handover to families. A joint team from Kathmandu and Dhading Police, along with the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police, are conducting the search and excavation.
Search Operations
As of late evening, 35 bodies have been retrieved, with more expected to be found. Over a hundred security personnel are working round the clock at the disaster site. On Saturday evening, 14 bodies were retrieved from a vehicle en route to Kathmandu from Butwal. On Sunday, 21 more bodies were recovered from two additional vehicles.
Impact on Transportation
Vehicular movement across Nepal has been stalled since early Saturday morning, leaving thousands of vehicles stranded. Goods-carrying vehicles are parked on the roadside.
Monsoon Season and Rainfall
Nepal, home to nine of the world’s ten highest peaks, has experienced above-average rainfall this year. The monsoon season, which usually begins on June 13 and ends on September 23, has been extended to late October. The country received 1,586.3 millimetres of rainfall, 7.2 per cent above the average monsoon rainfall.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) estimates that 1.8 million people and 412 thousand households will be affected by monsoon-related disasters.
Doubts Revealed
Nepal -: Nepal is a country located in South Asia, right next to India. 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 that is usually dry. This can cause a lot of damage to homes and roads.
Landslides -: Landslides occur when rocks, earth, or debris move down a slope. This can happen because of heavy rain, earthquakes, or other natural events.
Rescue Operations -: Rescue operations are efforts made by people, like police and firefighters, to save others who are in danger, such as those trapped by floods or landslides.
Tribhuvan Highway -: The Tribhuvan Highway is a major road in Nepal. It connects different parts of the country and is important for travel and transport.
Mudslide -: A mudslide is a type of landslide where a large amount of mud moves down a slope, often burying anything in its path, like cars or houses.
Security Personnel -: Security personnel are people like police officers and soldiers who help keep people safe and assist in emergencies.
Monsoon Season -: The monsoon season is a time of year when there is a lot of rain. In South Asia, including India and Nepal, it usually happens from June to September.
Households -: Households refer to all the people who live together in a home. When we say 412 thousand households are affected, it means many families are facing problems because of the floods.
Vehicular Movement -: Vehicular movement means the movement of vehicles like cars, buses, and trucks. When it is stalled, it means these vehicles cannot move, often because roads are blocked.
