Nepal Flood Deaths Rise to 193 as Recovery Efforts Intensify

The capital, Kathmandu, was particularly hard-hit, receiving heavy rainfall that led to widespread flooding. Police have reported 31 individuals still unaccounted for and 96 others injured across the nation.

One of the most tragic incidents occurred on a blocked highway about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Kathmandu, where a landslide claimed the lives of at least 36 people. Many victims were sleeping in vehicles, including buses, when the landslide struck.

Throughout the weekend, Kathmandu was effectively isolated as all three major highways leading out of the city were blocked by landslides. Workers have since managed to partially clear the crucial Prithvi Highway, removing debris including rocks, mud, and trees.

In response to the crisis, the home minister announced plans for temporary shelters for those displaced by the flooding, along with financial assistance for families of the deceased and those injured.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, returning from the U.N. General Assembly, has convened an emergency meeting to address the situation.

As weather conditions improve, rescue and recovery efforts are ramping up. Residents in southern Kathmandu, which faced severe inundation, are beginning the cleanup process as water levels recede. At least 34 deaths have been reported in this area alone.

Police and military personnel are actively assisting with rescue operations, employing heavy machinery to clear roads blocked by landslides. In light of the disaster, the government has also announced the closure of schools and colleges across Nepal for the next three days.

The monsoon season, which typically begins in June and ends by mid-September, has exacerbated these conditions.

Meanwhile, in northern Bangladesh, approximately 60,000 people have been affected by flooding in low-lying areas due to heavy rains and rising waters from upstream India. Residents in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts have sought refuge on roads and flood protection embankments.

The River Teesta is overflowing in certain areas, while the Dharala and Dudhkumar rivers in the Rangpur region are rising but remain below critical levels, according to the Dhaka-based Flood Forecasting and Warning Center. The situation is expected to improve in the coming days.

Bangladesh, a low-lying delta nation, is home to a complex network of over 230 rivers, more than 50 of which traverse its borders.