Tragedy strikes as landslides and flooding kill dozens in Nepal

In Nepal, severe rainfall triggered catastrophic landslides, lightning strikes, and flooding over the weekend. The incidents predominantly affected several villages in the eastern mountain district of Illam, where reports indicate that 18 people were killed and seven were left missing due to landslides sweeping away their homes. Rescue efforts were hindered by the heavy rainfall, which blocked roads and made access to affected areas nearly impossible. Meanwhile, three others were killed by lightning strikes in a different district, and one additional victim lost their life due to flooding in southern Nepal. As a response to the severe weather conditions, Nepal's government issued warnings of intense rainfall and took proactive measures, including shutting down major highways and grounding domestic flights due to poor visibility. These steps were made to ensure public safety and manage traffic as hundreds of thousands were returning to Kathmandu following the Dashain festival, a significant two-week celebration for families in the country. The main day of festivities had occurred just prior, adding to the urgency of the situation as many were traversing the roads. Alongside the tragic loss of life, authorities have reported that 114 individuals were successfully rescued from difficult situations, indicating ongoing efforts to mitigate the disaster's effects. The extreme weather conditions in Nepal typically occur at the end of the monsoon season, which runs from June to September. In the previous year, a similar pattern of flooding and landslides resulted in a staggering 224 casualties and inflicted injuries on 158 others, highlighting the recurring nature of such disasters in the region. As the country grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, officials continue to assess the damage and mobilize resources for rescue and recovery efforts. Helicopters have been requested to facilitate medical evacuations for those in critical condition, underscoring the severe impact on local infrastructure and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. In Kathmandu, areas near the river experienced flooding, but reports suggested no major casualties or infrastructure damage, reflecting the varied impact of the rainfall across different regions of the country.