International
oi-Ashish Rana
Heavy rains have caused widespread disruption across Nepal, with at least 27 people losing their lives in incidents reported over the past few days, officials said.
Between September 24-28, heavy rains and landslides across Nepal resulted in 27 deaths, 4 missing, and affected 1,082 families; separate incidents included a brief river blockage in Manang and an avalanche leaving 22 missing.
The Nepal Home Ministry said four people remain missing and eight others sustained injuries between September 24 and 28 as the country faced multiple rain-related disasters.
A total of 1,082 families have been affected, while 114 livestock have also died in the incidents.
Landslides Account For Most Deaths
According to the authority, during this period there were 304 landslide incidents, resulting in 20 deaths, while four people went missing and seven were injured.
Similarly, 87 flood-related incidents were reported in which four people died, while 151 incidents related to heavy rainfall claimed three lives and injured one person, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
Heavy rainfall destroyed 227 houses and partially damaged 142 others. Floods and landslides also damaged 31 bridges.
Heavy rainfall took place in various parts of the country during this period due to the low-pressure system developed in the Bay of Bengal, the NDRRMA said.
Manang Landslide Blocks Marsyangdi River
On Sunday, a massive landslide struck Nepal’s Manang district, sending debris into the Marsyangdi River and briefly blocking parts of it.
The landslide, caused by incessant rains in the Himalayan nation, prompted authorities to urge locals in the downstream areas to remain alert and take precautions.
Parts of the river remained blocked for a few hours, and then returned to normal without causing major damage.
Nepal Still Recovering From August Floods
The country is still reeling from last month’s devastating flash floods originating near the Nepal-Tibet border.
The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects.
The August 26 flash floods killed at least 1,453 people and left more than 5,000 missing.
Avalanche Leaves 22 Missing In Manang
Nepal is witnessing frequent landslides as it endures heavy monsoon rains.
Landslides also blocked other rivers in Palpa, Manang and Mustang districts in northern and western Nepal on Sunday, though the impact was not major as the blocked rivers cleared after a few hours.
An avalanche also struck the base camp of the 7,126-metre Himlung Himal peak in the Nar Phu area of Nepal’s Manang district on Sunday, burying tents where support staff and mountain guides were taking shelter, leaving 22 missing, all of them Nepalese.
Four bodies were recovered on Monday from the site of the avalanche at Himlung Himal peak in Nepal.
