Floods in Nepal: 112 dead, 64 missing in ongoing heavy downpour | World News

Nepal has been grappling with heavy rains since Friday, causing flooding in several low-lying areas as well as rising water levels in rivers leading to flash floods.

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Several roads have been flooded or blocked due to landslides as rivers such as the Bagmati have burst their banks and water levels have risen above the danger level. Around eight different roads were blocked due to landslides.

This was announced by the country’s weather office Kathmandu Postthat this was the highest recorded rainfall in the country’s capital since 1970. In the 24 hours up to Saturday morning, Kathmandu had recorded 240mm of rain. Some parts of the capital reportedly reported 322mm of rain Reuters.

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Police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki said this AFP that the death toll is likely to rise as rescue missions continue, with several people considered “missing.”

As of Sunday morning, 3,300 people had been rescued by relief teams. More than 3,000 security personnel are supporting the rescue operations with helicopters, rafts and motorboats.

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Domestic flights to and from Kathmandu resumed on Sunday after being temporarily suspended from Friday. Almost 150 departures were canceled.

Climate change

One of the main causes of the increasing risk of floods and landslides in Nepal is climate change and the lack of adaptation to environmental risks.

Arun Bhakta Shrestha, climate scientist at the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), said “random development” had also increased risks in Nepal.

“I have never seen a flood of this magnitude in Kathmandu before,” Srestha said. The ICIMOD has called on the government to improve infrastructure and invest in underground stormwater and sewage systems.

According to ICIMOD, the floods were worsened by poor drainage caused by unplanned settlement and urbanization efforts, construction in flood plains, lack of water retention areas and encroachments on the Bagmati River.

With inputs from ANI