Monsoon to slow down from Tuesday

The Meteorological Forecasting Division has informed that the Monsoon low-pressure line near Nepal began moving southward from Monday.

As a result, a decrease in rainfall is likely across the country from Tuesday due to reduced monsoon activity.

At present, weather conditions are gradually changing nationwide. Areas in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpaschim provinces are experiencing light to moderate rainfall, with occasional similar precipitation in other provinces.

The division has forecasted light to moderate rain in most parts of Koshi and Gandaki provinces, with heavy rain in one or two areas. Madhesh, Bagmati, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces may also experience light to moderate rainfall in some locations. In wake of these forecasts, the division has asked the public to take necessary precautions due to the heightened risk of landslides and potential impacts on daily life, agriculture, health, tourism, and transportation.

Monsoon disrupts life across Nepal killing at least 47 people

People’s lives have been greatly affected by landslides and inundation triggered by incessant rain from the east to the far west of the country. Landslides caused heavy loss of life in the mid-hills due to continuous rains. Similarly, floods after rains have also claimed lives of many people.

According to the National Emergency Operations Center, the death toll caused by flood and landslide has reached 48 during the monsoon period and 54 have been injured in the incidents. Along with this, 15 people died on Saturday and Sunday. 19 people died in Gandaki Province, 11 in Koshi, 10 in Lumbini, three in Bagmati with one in Kathmandu Valley, two each in Madhesh and Karnali and one in Sudurpaschim.

Monsoon entered Nepal on 10th of June. Similarly, 18 people were injured in Gandaki, 11 each in Koshi and Karnali, seven in Bagmati with three in Kathmandu Valley, four in Madhesh, two in Lumbini and one in Far West. During this period, 53 people including 41 in Koshi and 12 in Gandaki have been rescued from floods and landslides. Similarly, seven people are missing in Koshi, two in Bagmati, one each in Gandaki and Karnali. In 27 days of monsoon, 121 houses were flooded across the country. 82 houses, 46 sheds, 41 bridges, one school and two government offices were damaged. One hundred and eighty-eight animals have died. During this period, 158 families have been displaced.

Thirty eight main and subsidiary highways have been blocked due to landslides accompanied by incessant rains. Twenty one of them are completely blocked while 17 roads and highways are operating one-way. According to Nepal Police data, one road is completely blocked in Kathmandu Valley, three in Koshi, two in Bagmati, four in Gandaki, eight in Lumbini, four in Karnali and one in Sudurpaschim. Five roads in Bagmati, four in Gandaki, six in Lumbini, and one each in Karnali and Sudurpaschim are running one-way. Even on Sunday, more than 45 roads were blocked by floods. 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has stated that the continuous rains have engulfed the land on all sides of the mountains and plains, and the risk of loss of life and property has increased as landslides continue to occur easily.

Flood, landslide death toll reach 70

The death toll in the past one month due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant rain has reached seventy so far, according to officials.

Central Police Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki informed that 70 people have died, 86 have been injured and five people have gone missing so far in incidents of floods and landslides occurred throughout the country from June 10 till Monday morning.

Police said people injured in the incidents of natural disaster are undergoing treatment at local hospitals. Nine hundred and sixty-six incidents of flooding and landslide have occurred during this period, in which 86 houses have been damaged and 335 cattle head have perished.

Life across the country has been affected on Monday as well due to heavy rain and around 5,000 police personnel have been mobilized in rescue and relief works. The damage due to the monsoon-related disasters is estimated to be Rs 95 million 674 thousand and 250, according to the Police Headquarters.