Heavy rains threaten Nepal with fresh floods a month after deadly deluge

Heavy rains forecast across Nepal could trigger another round of flooding just weeks after flash floods killed more than 1,400 people, the Kathmandu Post reported. A low‑pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is bringing heavy to very heavy rain to Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali provinces, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Meteorologist Rojan Lamichhane said the system moved over Chhattisgarh and is now spreading across Nepal, raising moderate to high flood risk for several small rivers. Twelve districts – Gorkha, Lamjung, Kaski, Manang, Mustang, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet, Dailekh, Kailali and Kanchanpur – face high flooding risk. One or two places in Lumbini and Gandaki could see extremely heavy rain, while heavy rain is also expected in parts of Madhesh; thunderstorms and strong winds may hit Madhesh, Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini. Karnali and Sudurpaschim are also vulnerable, prompting Lamichhane to ask farmers to pause rice harvesting for a few days. In the past 24 hours Palpa recorded more than 187 mm of rain and other sites in Lumbini, Gandaki and Bagmati logged up to 100 mm; mountain districts reported moderate to heavy snowfall. The India Meteorological Department said a deep depression centered over southern Chhattisgarh and nearby Odisha at 8:30 am Friday, moving north‑northwest at 15 km/h and expected to stay at depression strength for 12 hours before weakening. Prime Minister Balendra Shah, speaking at the UN General Assembly, warned that the Bhotekoshi‑Trishuli floods were a warning of worsening climate risks in the Himalayas. He noted Nepal emits less than 0.1 % of global greenhouse gases but its glaciers are melting, slopes are destabilising and rivers are becoming unpredictable. Shah called for a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, India and China to share satellite data, monitor glacial lakes, improve early‑warning systems and coordinate cross‑border disaster response.