Kathmandu, Sep 29 (V7N) – At least 66 people have died, and 69 are missing after devastating floods and landslides struck Nepal, triggered by heavy rains since Friday morning. The torrential downpour has also left 60 people injured, as rescue efforts continue to locate those still trapped in floodwaters.

Home Ministry official Dil Kumar Tamang reported that most of the fatalities occurred in the Kathmandu Valley, home to four million people, where floods have brought daily life to a standstill. Traffic has been disrupted, and entire neighborhoods have been submerged. The situation is critical, with authorities working to evacuate residents and provide aid to those affected.

Heavy rainfall across various parts of the country has led to rivers breaching their banks, causing flash floods and submerging roads, bridges, and homes. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority confirmed that over 200 mm of rain fell on Friday alone, overwhelming rivers and resulting in severe damage to infrastructure.

In Kathmandu, several rivers have overflowed, flooding homes and submerging vehicles. Local truck driver Hari Malla recounted how water reached shoulder height when he ventured out at midnight, leaving his truck submerged.

More than 3,000 security forces, including police, are engaged in rescue operations, deploying helicopters and motorized boats to reach stranded individuals. Landslides have also blocked multiple highways, leaving many tourists and locals stranded. Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki reported that 28 major roads have been affected, and efforts are underway to clear debris and restore transportation.

International flights at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport remain operational, but domestic flights have faced significant disruptions, according to airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa.

Meteorologists, including Binu Maharjan from Kathmandu, have forecast that heavy rains will continue until Sunday, with a chance of improvement afterward.

The monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, routinely brings death and destruction across South Asia. This year, more than 170 people have already died in Nepal due to floods and landslides. Experts have attributed the rising frequency and intensity of such disasters to climate change.

END/RH/AJ