Several days of non-stop rain in Nepal, particularly the Far Western Region, has forced the Mahakali River (also known as the Sharda River) to burst its banks.
Local police said that at least 8 people have died in the floods. The deaths occurred in Baitadi (2), Doti (2), Kanchanpur (2), Dadeldhura and Kailali. Around 900 houses have been inundated and around 40 have been completely destroyed or swept away. The Jogbudha river is also said to have overflowed causing further flooding.
River levels are still rising, posing a threat of further flooding, but also landslides and river bank erosion. Emergency personnel, including members of the police and army, have helped evacuate those living in vulnerable areas close to the river. Around 400 families have been evacuated from areas near the river in Dadeldhura.
Arpan Shrestha
Recent Rainfall Figures in 24 Hours 19 to 20 July 2014
- Taplejung – 72mm
- Dadeldhura – 161.1mm
- Pokhara Airport – 60.6mm
Nepal and Uttarakhand
Significantly, the Far Western Region is on the border to the Indian state of Uttarakhand, which is currently seeing some flooding. In 2013, the disastrous flood in Uttarakhand killed thousands of people.
