Disaster authorities in Nepal report that dozens of people have died or are missing after heavy rain caused floods and landslides over the last few days.
The country’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) reported heavy rain from around 16 October. In 24 hours to 18 October, Jogbudha in Dadeldhura district recorded 168.8 mm of rain. In the following 24 hours Sahu Khark in Dadeldhura district saw 361.0 mm and a total of 502.2 mm across a 48 hour period. Over the last 24 hour period to 20 October Tarahara in Sunsari district recorded 398.2 mm of rain. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the rain was falling on slopes already saturated by higher than average 2021 monsoon rain.
Figures from NDRRMA show that in a period 13 to 20 October, 29 people have lost their lives as a result of landslides, floods and heavy rain. A further 12 people are missing and 10 have been injured. On 19 October, 6 people died in landslides in Humla districts; 6 in Dhankuta and 4 in Doti. Six people remain missing in Dhankuta. Five people were also reported missing after landslides in Ilam on 19 October.
A total of 30 homes have been destroyed and around 10 severely damaged. Floods destroyed 7 houses in Jhapa district and 8 in Bajhang district. Landslides destroyed 4 homes in Darchula district. Flooding has also caused extensive damaged to crops while landslides have left several roads blocked.
Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Flood Forecasting Division reported the Mahakali River at Parigaon in Dadeldhura District was above the danger mark of 7 metres, standing at 8.98 metres as of 19 October. Likewise the Tamor River at Mulghat in Dhankuta District stood at 7.11 and above the danger mark of 7 metres. Both rivers have since returned to safer levels over the last 24 hours.
