Nepal – 6 Dead, 11 Missing After Floods in Achham

Authorities in Nepal report that at least 6 people have died and more are missing after flooding western parts of the country.

A stream broke its banks in Ramaroshan Rural Municipality, Achham district in Sudurpashchim Province, late on 18 August, 2020.

Flash flooding swept away 22 houses. The bodies of 6 people have been found, while 11 more are thought to be missing. Three people were injured in the incident.

Dozens Killed in Floods and Landslides Since June

According to the Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), as of 18 August, floods and landslides during this year’s monsoon had caused 196 deaths and injured 188 people, not including the recent deaths in Achham.

The monsoon rain started during the last week of June, 2020, triggering flooding and landslides in Parbat and Palpa districts. The rainfall became continued into July, causing flooding and landslides in several areas of the country.

Rainfall intensified again during August. At least 28 people died and 11 are still missing after a landslide in Jugal Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchowk on 14 August. Ongoing search and rescue operations are complicated by continuous rainfall and mudslides in the affected areas.