Fresh landslides and floods claim lives across Nepal following heavy rain

Fresh floods and landslides across Nepal have killed at least 21 people and left five others missing, following intense weekend rainfall that compounded earlier monsoon disasters.

Impacts And Damage

The Nepal Police reported that landslides buried houses in areas including Baglung, Tamankhola, Nisikhola Rural Municipality, and Tarakhola Rural Municipality. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority stated that landslides caused nearly 14 deaths, floods accounted for four fatalities, and continuous heavy rain drove three more deaths. Severe weather has affected nearly 250 families, completely destroying 260 homes and partially damaging 80 others. In a separate incident, an avalanche on the 7,126-metre Himlung Himal summit in the Manang district's Nar Phu region killed at least four climbers and support personnel.

Response And Relief

Authorities moved residents of Chame Bazar and surrounding areas to safe places after a flood and landslide in the Ghatte Khola river blocked the Marsyangdi river on Sunday afternoon, creating a temporary lake. Chief District Officer Mukti Prasad Khanal stated that the water level in the blocked lake has dropped by about one metre, allowing the river to flow more freely. Nepal Police confirmed that rescue and search operations remain ongoing in affected zones in coordination with various agencies.

Context

Nepal experiences severe monsoon weather every year, making mountainous regions particularly vulnerable to flash floods, soil erosion, and avalanches during periods of heavy rain. Infrastructure damage frequently cuts off remote settlements, requiring coordinated ground and air rescue efforts by local authorities and police forces.