KATHMANDU, Sept 28: At least 21 people have died in incidents triggered by heavy and continuous rainfall, including floods and landslides, while five others have been injured and five remain missing.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, four people died in 53 flood incidents. Meanwhile, 256 landslide incidents killed 14 people, injured four and left five missing. Another three people died and one was injured in 117 incidents directly linked to continuous rainfall.
Authority spokesperson Shanti Mahat said heavy to extremely heavy rainfall occurred in different parts of the country from September 24 to 27 (Asoj 8 to 11) due to a low-pressure system that developed over the Bay of Bengal.
According to the authority's latest figures, rain-related disasters during the period have killed 21 people, left five missing and injured five.
Natural disasters kill 890 people every year
Floods and landslides completely destroyed 143 houses across the country and partially damaged another 51. A total of 747 families have been directly affected, while nearly 2,000 people from areas at risk in different districts have been evacuated to safer locations.
Continuous rainfall resulted in more than 100 millimetres of rain being recorded at 186 monitoring stations across the country. Deda Gaun in Nawalparasi East recorded the highest rainfall at 544.2 millimetres, followed by Panchase in Kaski at 500.2 millimetres and Atraulitar in Tanahun at 472 millimetres.
Mahat said around 9,000 tourists and trekkers were travelling in different parts of the country during the period of heavy rainfall. People stranded by floods and landslides in districts including Jajarkot, Myagdi and Baglung were rescued by helicopter.
Local governments, in coordination with the respective district administrations, arranged essential supplies and relief for those rescued.
Following forecasts of heavy rainfall, the authority had instructed concerned agencies to remain prepared for emergency response and regularly issued alerts and advisories. The Flood Forecasting Division sent 814,000 SMS alerts to residents of areas potentially at risk of flooding.
Authorities also issued warnings in English for tourists engaged in trekking and mountaineering. Those in high-risk areas were advised to move to safer locations, while those already in safe places were urged to remain there.
The Central Monsoon Response Command Post met daily to review the situation. Authorities also instructed districts facing heightened risks to restrict vehicular movement when necessary.
Schools in potentially affected districts were closed through coordination between local governments and district disaster management committees, according to the authority.
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