Kathmandu, Sep 26 (V7N)- Nepal is facing renewed flooding and landslide risks as continuous heavy rainfall sweeps across the country, weeks after severe flash floods and landslides caused widespread damage.
The rainfall is being driven by a low-pressure system that formed over the Bay of Bengal and is moving slowly toward Nepal through India's Chhattisgarh region.
By Friday afternoon, more than 187 millimeters of rain had been recorded in the Palpa-Archal area, while several other parts of the country received more than 100 millimeters.
The heavy rainfall has caused water levels in rivers and smaller waterways to rise rapidly, prompting authorities to issue flood warnings for 12 districts, including Gorkha, Lamjung, Kaski, Dang, Banke, Bardiya and Kanchanpur.
Nepal's Flood Forecasting Division warned that water levels in smaller rivers are rising quickly and that flooding could occur with little notice. Forecasters also expect further rainfall in western Nepal over the next two days.
The rain has triggered mountain torrents and landslides in several areas, disrupting transportation. Landslides have been reported at seven locations along the Dhading section of the Prithvi Highway, with some sections completely blocked and others reduced to single-lane traffic.
Connectivity between Kathmandu and other parts of the country has also been affected, while heavy rain has submerged agricultural land in some areas, causing concern among farmers.
The renewed threat comes as Nepal continues recovery efforts following severe floods and mountain torrents that struck the country about a month ago.
Speaking at a high-level session of the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Nepal's prime minister highlighted the country's vulnerability to climate change, warning that rising temperatures are destabilizing the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
He said the thawing of long-frozen permafrost and rapid glacier melting are increasing the risk of natural disasters in the Himalayan region.
END/SMA/AJ
