Nepal is grappling with the aftermath of deadly floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, as residents begin the grim task of cleaning their homes and salvaging belongings from the mud.
The heavy rains, caused by a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and India’s bordering areas, have left at least 192 dead, with 32 still missing after two days of continuous downpours.
In neighbouring Bangladesh, over 100,000 people are stranded due to heavy rains and water surging downstream from Nepal, officials reported.
Kathmandu Valley reports 56 deaths
In the Kathmandu Valley, home to four million people and the nation’s capital, 56 deaths have been recorded. The region faced one of its worst flooding disasters in years, with rivers breaching their banks and inundating homes, hospitals, roads, bridges, and markets.
Prithvi Subba Gurung, a senior minister and government spokesperson, said authorities are assessing the extent of the destruction and estimating the cost of rebuilding.
Officials noted that some weather stations in Kathmandu recorded their highest 24-hour rainfall in decades.
Surya Raj Acharya, an infrastructure and urban planning expert, highlighted how unchecked urbanization and construction in the Kathmandu Valley, without proper planning or engineering, contributed significantly to the damage.
“Riverbanks have been encroached upon for housing, with no adherence to basic engineering or drainage systems,” Acharya explained. “Without adequate outlets for rainwater, floodwaters inevitably enter homes.”
Acharya stressed that Nepal’s unique geography, river systems, and vulnerability to extreme weather must be integral to future urban planning efforts.
Experts blame poor urban planning, climate change for disaster
Climate scientists echoed these concerns, citing climate change as a major factor exacerbating the disaster.
“Climate change played a significant role, compounded by poor urban planning and inadequate infrastructure,” said Arun Bhakta Shrestha, an environmental expert at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, large swaths of land across five northern districts have been submerged due to the swelling of the Teesta River, which has surpassed its danger level in several locations. The rising waters have destroyed crops, including rice and vegetables, as well as fish farms, leaving many farmers facing devastating losses. Homes, roads, and vital infrastructure are also submerged, forcing residents to seek safety on higher ground.
The Bangladesh weather office has warned of more rain in the coming days, indicating the situation could worsen.
(With AP inputs)