Nepal is currently reeling from devastating floods and landslides that have resulted in at least 129 fatalities and left 62 individuals missing as of September 29, 2024. The torrential rains, which began on September 27, caused the Bagmati River to rise 2.2 meters (7 feet) above the danger mark, leading to widespread destruction, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley, which is home to approximately 4 million residents [18e90be7].
In response to the crisis, the Nepalese government has closed schools for three days to ensure the safety of students and staff [18e90be7]. The heavy rainfall, which reached 322.2 mm (12.7 inches), has severely impacted infrastructure, with police recovering 16 bodies from two buses that were swept away by a landslide [18e90be7].
Rescue operations are ongoing, involving over 3,000 security personnel who are working to reach those stranded by blocked highways. The impact of this disaster has been profound, with all domestic flights from Kathmandu canceled, affecting over 150 scheduled departures [e2d91144].
This year's rain-related disasters have already claimed over 170 lives in Nepal, highlighting a troubling trend linked to climate change, which experts say is increasing the frequency and intensity of such natural disasters [e2d91144]. Climate scientists from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have pointed to poor infrastructure and urban planning as exacerbating factors in the flooding crisis [18e90be7].
As both Nepal and its neighboring countries face the repercussions of climate change and natural disasters, the interconnectedness of these events underscores the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management strategies and climate change mitigation efforts [1f87282a].