Updated: Nepal – Dozens Dead After Heavy Monsoon Rains

by in Asia, News

Update, 15 July 2019

The number of fatalities has increased following flooding and landslides triggered by the monsoon season.

As of 15 July, authorities reported that 64 people had died, at least 31 are missing and 32 others have been injured. A total of 33,113 people have been affected, with 3,186 families displaced.

Rivers are showing signs of falling. As of 15 July the Tinaau river at Butwal was the only river still above danger level, standing at 5.21metres (danger level is 4.6m) and rising.

There has been some further heavy rain in the last 24 hours. According to Nepal’s Meteorological Forecasting Division figures, Biratnagar in the south east of the country and close to the border with Bihar, India, recorded 74.1 mm of rain in 24 hours to 15 July.

Original report, 13 July 2019

Monsoon rain in Nepal has destroyed buildings and caused flooding and landslides, leaving dozens dead or missing and hundreds displaced in several districts of the country, including the capital Kathmandu.

Nepal police were called on to rescue residents trapped in flood waters. Photo; Nepal police

The heavy rain began around 11 July, 2019. Authorities issued flood warnings from 09 July. In 24 hours to 13 July, the country’s capital Kathmandu recorded 104 mm of rain and Simara in Bara District, south-eastern Nepal, recorded 188 mm. The rain is expected to continue for several more days.

According to the Home Ministry’s National Emergency Operation Center, as of 13 July 2019, at least 29 people have died, 14 are missing and 24 injured. Hundreds of people have been displaced after their homes were damaged or destroyed.

The fatalities occurred as a result of either flooding, landslides or collapsed buildings across 14 districts, including 6 in Lalitpur, 3 in Kathmandu, 3 in Khotang, and 2 each in Bhojpur, Sindhuli, Dhading and Makwanpur. Other fatalities occurred in Parsa, Ramhechap, Bara, Ilam, Jhapa and Okhaldhunga.

According to Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division, rivers were above danger levels in 4 locations across the country as of 13 July: the Bagmati River at Rai Gaon, the Sunkoshi River at Hampachuwar, the Tamur River at Triveni and the Saptakoshi at Chatara. The West Rapti river at Kusum was at warning level.

Flood Forecasting Division also monitors rainfall in river catchments. According to the division’s figures, several areas have seen around 200mm of rain in the last 24 hours, with Siraha (Kamala basin) recording 287.8mm, Ranibas (Kamala basin) 294.2 mm and Anarmani Birta (Koshi basin) 472 mm.

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