At least 27 individuals have lost their lives in disasters linked to heavy rainfall across Nepal since September 24, according to official reports released on Tuesday. Authorities have also stated that four people remain missing and eight others have sustained injuries due to incidents such as floods and landslides. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) confirmed that these adverse weather conditions have affected approximately 1,082 families.

The disasters have led to significant losses, including the death of 114 livestock, the complete destruction of 227 houses, and partial damage to an additional 142 homes. Furthermore, 31 bridges have been reported damaged due to the ongoing floods and landslides.

Between September 24 and 27, a total of 542 rainfall-related incidents were recorded, although water levels in major rivers have begun to fall gradually since September 28, leading to an improvement in the overall situation.

Details of Rainfall Measurements

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, over 100 mm of rain was documented at 186 measurement stations throughout the country during a four-day period ending September 27. The highest recorded rainfall was 544.2 mm at Dedhgaun in Nawalparasi, followed by 500.2 mm at Panchase in Kaski and 472 mm at Atraulitaar in Tanahun.

Weather officials indicated that the heavy rainfall was linked to a low-pressure system near Uttar Pradesh in northern India, coupled with moisture-laden air from the Bay of Bengal. In response to the unfolding situation, the NDRRMA reportedly sent emergency flood-warning SMS alerts to over 980,000 individuals through various telecom providers.

In an effort to safeguard the population, approximately 2,000 individuals identified as being at risk from flooding were evacuated to safer areas. Those stranded due to floods and landslides in remote districts, including Jajarkot, Myagdi, and Baglung, were rescued with the assistance of helicopters.

Rescue Operations and Community Response

Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the NDRRMA, mentioned that on September 27, 78 individuals in Pauddhar of Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 in Myagdi were evacuated by helicopter. In another operation, four people who were trapped on an island in the Bheri River in Jajarkot were also airlifted to safety.

Heavy rains on September 27 triggered landslides in Chame, Manang. Reports indicate that flood and landslide debris from Ghatte Khola caused a partial blockage of the Marsyangdi River, resulting in the merging of two water bodies and the formation of a temporary lake. Residents in Chame and surrounding areas fled to forests and caves as water levels rose.

By Monday, water levels in the newly formed lake had receded by around one metre, revealing a previously submerged bridge. The flooding has resulted in extensive damage to roads and bridges along the Kaligandaki corridor, with reports of landslides affecting multiple locations and significant stretches of road washed away.

The NDRRMA has issued alerts to officials in the affected districts, urging them to maintain heightened vigilance in susceptible areas and to relocate families in vulnerable regions to safer locations.

The recent landslides and floods have occurred while Nepal continues to recover from severe flash floods that transpired last month. On August 26, floods originating near the Nepal-Tibet border resulted in widespread destruction, including the loss of more than 1,450 lives and leaving approximately 5,000 individuals missing.

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