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01 Oct 2024

Heavy rain fall in Nepal killed almost 200 - 100,000 people stranded in the flood water

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At least 192 people have lost their lives, and 32 remain missing after two days of relentless rainfall, triggered by a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and regions of India near the Nepal border, as reported by Reuters and several other international media. 

 In northern Bangladesh, which is separated from Nepal by a narrow stretch of Indian territory, more than 100,000 people are stranded due to heavy rainfall and the influx of water from upstream, according to officials.

At least 35 bodies have been recovered from vehicles buried under a landslide on Prithvi Highway, near Kathmandu, according to police officials.

Most major highways connecting Kathmandu to the rest of the country remain blocked in multiple locations due to landslides.

The situation could worsen in the coming days, with the Bangladesh weather office warning of more rain, Reuters reports. 
 

Kathmandu Valley, home to four million people and the capital city, experienced 56 deaths and one of its worst devastations in recent years. Rivers overflowed, flooding homes, hospitals, roads, bridges, and markets, causing widespread damage.

Residents reported "jumping from one roof to another" to escape the rising floodwaters that have submerged thousands of homes. Rescue teams continue their efforts using helicopters and inflatable rafts.

Although rain is expected to continue through Tuesday, there were signs of slight relief on Sunday. Some residents were able to return to their mud-covered homes, while others remain isolated, with major roads between towns and villages still blocked, the BBC reports. 

Officials said some weather stations in Kathmandu recorded the highest 24-hour rainfall for decades,

“Climate change played a significant role in exacerbating the disaster, compounded by poor urban planning and infrastructure," said Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a climate and environmental risks expert at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

According to state media, 10,000 police officers, as well as volunteers and members of the army, have been mobilised as part of the search and rescue efforts.