Nepal Floods: Death Toll Almost Touches 200; Rains to Continue Wreaking Havoc

According to reports, a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, combined with an unusual positioning of the monsoon trough, triggered heavy rainfall across Nepal starting on Friday. The downpours were especially intense in eastern and central regions, causing the Bagmati River, Kathmandu's main waterway, to overflow.

The Koshi River basin was among the worst-affected areas, with widespread flooding impacting districts like Sunsari, Saptari, and Udayapur. Other rivers, such as the Gandaki and Karnali, also overflowed, causing destruction in Banke, Bardiya, and Dang. The southern Terai plains, including districts like Morang, Jhapa, and Rautahat, experienced severe flooding as rainwater flowed down from higher elevations.

The floods have caused significant damage to infrastructure, with at least 322 homes and 16 bridges destroyed across Nepal. Many locals reported that they had not seen such devastating floods in the Kathmandu Valley in 40 to 45 years. However, flooding was not the only consequence of the intense rainfall.

Thousands of people remain stranded due to road disruptions, but emergency personnel, including the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, have rescued around 4,000 people affected by the floods, according to Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson Rishiram Pokharel. Meanwhile, hospitals in cities like Nepalgunj are overwhelmed with injured patients, prompting the deployment of mobile health units to remote locations for medical assistance.

Climate change has been identified as a key factor contributing to the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events in Nepal. The country’s fragile ecosystem, coupled with inadequate infrastructure, leaves it particularly vulnerable to floods and landslides. Moving forward, extensive rebuilding efforts will be required, along with long-term strategies such as constructing river embankments, enhancing disaster preparedness, and improving flood forecasting systems.

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