Tragedy Strikes Nepal: Monsoon Floods Leave 104 Dead And Thousands Homeless!

Residents of Nepal’s flood-affected capital began returning to assess the damage on Sunday following severe flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains, which have resulted in at least 104 deaths nationwide.

Flooding and landslides are commonplace during South Asia’s monsoon season; however, experts are increasingly warning that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and severity of these disasters.

This past weekend, numerous neighborhoods in Kathmandu were inundated, with flash floods sweeping through the city and inflicting significant damage on major roadways.

Kumar Tamang, a 40-year-old resident from a riverside slum, recounted his terrifying ordeal: “We had to escape at midnight as water rushed into our home. Today, everything looks altered, with mud clogging our doors,” he told AFP.

According to Nepal’s home ministry, 104 individuals have died across the country, with 64 others reported missing.

Rishi Ram Tiwari, a spokesperson for the ministry, stated that efforts are underway to clear landslide-blocked highways, which have isolated Kathmandu from the rest of Nepal. “More than 3,000 people have been rescued,” he confirmed.

In one tragic incident, 14 people lost their lives when a landslide buried two buses in the Dhading district, located south of Kathmandu.

The Nepalese capital experienced a staggering 240 millimeters (9.4 inches) of rainfall in just 24 hours, marking the heaviest downpour in over five decades, according to the nation’s weather bureau.

As rivers such as the Bagmati overflowed, residents navigated chest-deep water in search of higher ground.

Emergency teams, including over 3,000 security personnel, have been deployed, utilizing helicopters, motorboats, and rafts to aid in rescue efforts.

By Sunday morning, domestic flights that had been grounded due to severe weather conditions resumed operations, although more than 150 flights had been canceled.

The summer monsoon, which accounts for 70-80% of South Asia’s annual rainfall, routinely brings devastation to the region. Nevertheless, scientists caution that the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events is tied to climate change. This year alone, over 260 individuals in Nepal have perished due to rain-related disasters.