The death toll from flooding and landslides across Nepal surged to 193 after a weekend of relentless rainfall. As the Himalayan nation grapples with the devastation, rescue and recovery efforts were ramped up on Monday to aid those affected.
Much of the damage occurred in Kathmandu, where southern parts of the capital experienced significant flooding. Nepal’s police confirmed that 31 people are still missing, while 96 others suffered injuries in various regions across the country.
In this aerial image of the Kathmandu valley, Bagmati River is seen flooded due to heavy rains on Sept. 28 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The flooding has left more than 190 people dead so far, while recovery and rescue work was stepped up on Monday.
Gopen Rai/AP Photo
A landslide killed three dozen people on a blocked highway about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Kathmandu. The landslide buried at least three buses and other vehicles where people were sleeping because the highway was blocked. Rescue efforts have continued at the site, but the heavy debris has posed significant challenges to the teams on the ground.
Throughout the weekend, the capital remained isolated as all three highways leading out of Kathmandu were obstructed by landslides. The critical Prithvi Highway, a major route that connects the capital to other regions, was partially reopened after workers cleared debris, including fallen rocks, mud, and uprooted trees. However, the road remains vulnerable to further disruptions with more rain expected later in the week.
The government has pledged immediate assistance to those impacted by the disaster. Nepal’s Home Minister announced that temporary shelters would be constructed for those who lost their homes, while families of the deceased and injured would receive financial support. Authorities are also working to ensure that displaced families receive essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid.
Rescue personnel transport the dead body of a victim who was trapped under a landslide caused by heavy rains in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. Police say that 31 people are still missing and 96 people are injured across the Himalayan nation on Monday.
Sujan Gurung/AP Photo
As Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli returned from the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, his office announced that he had convened an emergency meeting to address the crisis. In a public statement, Oli expressed his condolences to the families affected and vowed to prioritize recovery efforts.
Improved weather has provided a brief window for accelerating recovery operations. Rescue teams, including police and soldiers, have been deployed across the country to assist those in need. Heavy machinery is being used to clear roads blocked by landslides, but authorities have warned that recovery may take weeks in some areas.
People watch earthmovers removing automobile debris and the dead bodies of victims trapped under a landslide caused by heavy rains in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. Many of the deaths were in the capital, Kathmandu, which got heavy rainfall, and much of southern part of the city was flooded.
Sujan Gurung/AP Photo
Kathmandu remains the worst-hit area, with 34 confirmed deaths from flooding. As water levels began to recede, residents in the southern part of the city started cleaning their homes. Many people had been displaced by the deluge, which swept through their neighborhoods, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
In response to the disaster, the government declared that all schools and colleges across Nepal would be closed for the next three days, allowing authorities to focus on relief efforts and safety assessments.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
