Severe floods and landslides triggered by two days of intense monsoon rainfall have killed at least 100 people across Nepal, with dozens more reported missing as rescue operations intensify. As floodwaters inundate homes, businesses, and roads, the Nepalese government has mobilized thousands of rescue workers to mitigate the growing disaster.
The Kathmandu Valley, home to Nepal’s capital and over 2.5 million people, has been severely impacted by the deluge. The valley is no stranger to heavy monsoon rains, but this year’s rains have been unusually intense. Since Friday night, torrential downpours have caused rivers to swell, breaching their banks and flooding thousands of homes. Many residents have been stranded on rooftops, awaiting rescue as floodwaters rose around them.
Government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung confirmed that over 3,000 people have been rescued from flood-affected areas, though efforts continue as entire neighborhoods remain submerged. “Our immediate priority is to rescue people in danger and provide relief to those who have lost everything,” Gurung said during a televised address. The government has deployed 10,000 police officers, army personnel, and volunteers to assist in the rescue and recovery operations.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred in Bhaktapur, a city just east of Kathmandu, where a landslide claimed the lives of five people, including a pregnant woman and a four-year-old girl. The landslide swept away a house, burying the victims under tons of earth and debris. “The house collapsed so quickly. It was like the earth just swallowed them,” said a neighbor, visibly shaken as rescue workers dug through the wreckage in hopes of finding survivors.
Further west in Dhading district, another deadly landslide buried a passenger bus with 12 people onboard. Two bodies have been recovered, but the fate of the others remains uncertain as rescuers work against the clock to unearth the bus from the debris. Dhading is a key transit route linking Kathmandu with the western part of the country, and this landslide, coupled with others, has disrupted transportation for thousands of people.
In another tragic event, six young football players died when a landslide hit a training facility operated by the All Nepal Football Association in Makwanpur, southwest of Kathmandu. The players, aged between 16 and 22, were participating in a training session when the hillside above the facility gave way, burying them under tons of mud. Teammates and officials who survived the incident recounted the terror of watching the earth slide down on the players. “We ran for our lives, but the others were not so lucky,” said an official from the football association.
Amid these heartbreaking stories, there have also been scenes of incredible courage and resilience. In the southern part of Kathmandu Valley, four people were swept away by the surging Nakkhu River. Eyewitnesses reported hearing their desperate pleas for help as they struggled against the force of the floodwaters. “For hours, they kept on pleading for help,” said Jitendra Bhandari, who watched helplessly from a distance. “We could do nothing. The current was too strong.”
In the heart of Kathmandu, truck driver Hari Om Malla recounted how he narrowly escaped death after his truck was submerged by floodwaters. “Water gushed into the cabin so fast. We jumped out, swam, and got away, but I lost everything—my bag, my purse, my mobile. I have nothing now,” Malla said. He and others spent the entire night in the cold, without shelter or belongings, as the floodwaters continued to rise.
The flooding has also wreaked havoc on Nepal’s already fragile infrastructure. Many of the major highways that connect the Kathmandu Valley to other parts of the country have been blocked by landslides, isolating entire regions and complicating rescue efforts. “It’s not just about clearing the roads—it’s about doing it fast enough to get aid to where it’s needed,” said an official from the Department of Roads.
Air travel has been similarly disrupted, with many domestic flights grounded due to the hazardous weather. For two days, air traffic in and out of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport was severely restricted, stranding thousands of passengers. Flights have since resumed, but officials warn that the situation remains volatile as further rain is forecast through Tuesday.
In Kathmandu itself, floodwaters have damaged key infrastructure, including water pipes and electricity lines. Power outages have been reported across several districts in the capital, and communication lines remain intermittent. “We’re working to restore essential services, but with the ongoing rains, it’s a challenge,” said Gurung, the government spokesman.
The floods have displaced thousands of people from their homes, many of whom have sought refuge in temporary shelters set up by the government and relief agencies. However, these shelters are quickly becoming overwhelmed as more people flee the rising waters. “We’re running out of space and supplies,” said a representative from the Nepal Red Cross. “We need more tents, blankets, food, and clean water. The risk of waterborne diseases is also rising as floodwaters become contaminated.”
Local media reports that thousands of homes, especially those near rivers, have been flooded, and with more rain expected, there are concerns that the worst may not be over. “We’re preparing for the possibility of more flooding,” said a government official. “The soil is already saturated, so even a little more rain could cause additional landslides and flash floods.”
Nepal is no stranger to monsoon-induced flooding and landslides, but the intensity and frequency of these events have been increasing in recent years. Scientists point to climate change as a major factor behind this shift. As global temperatures rise, the atmosphere is able to hold more moisture, leading to heavier and more intense rainfall events. “The monsoon is becoming more unpredictable and extreme,” said Rajendra Sharma, a climate scientist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu. “We’re seeing more intense bursts of rain that are causing flash floods and landslides.”
Additionally, warmer ocean waters can energize storm systems, making them more erratic and dangerous. “Nepal is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and what we’re seeing with these floods is a clear example of that,” said Sharma. “It’s not just about the amount of rain—it’s about how it falls and how quickly the landscape responds.”
While rescue operations are underway, the Nepalese government has faced criticism from some quarters for its handling of the disaster. “The government should have been better prepared,” said Bhola Rijal, a local activist. “Every year we have floods, and every year it feels like we’re caught off guard. Where is the long-term planning?”
In response, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has defended the government’s efforts, emphasizing the scale of the disaster and the challenges posed by the country’s difficult terrain. “We are doing everything we can, but the scale of the disaster is unprecedented,” Prachanda said during a press briefing. “Our focus right now is on saving lives and providing relief. We will rebuild, but for now, the priority is the immediate safety of our people.”
International aid agencies, including the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations, have begun coordinating with the Nepalese government to provide assistance. “We’re working closely with the authorities to assess the situation and mobilize resources,” said a representative from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Several neighboring countries, including India and China, have also offered to send emergency aid, including helicopters and rescue teams.
As Nepal begins to grapple with the full extent of the devastation, questions are being raised about the country’s preparedness for future disasters. Experts warn that without significant investment in disaster resilience and climate adaptation, such events will only become more frequent and deadly. “This is a wake-up call for Nepal,” said climate scientist Sharma. “We need to rethink how we manage our rivers, our infrastructure, and our communities in the face of a changing climate.”
For now, however, the focus remains on the immediate task of rescue and relief. With more rain forecast in the coming days, the people of Nepal are bracing for the possibility of further devastation, even as they mourn the loss of over 100 lives and wait anxiously for news of the dozens still missing. As the rains subside and the floodwaters begin to recede, Nepal faces the monumental challenge of rebuilding—not just homes and infrastructure, but also the lives of the thousands of people affected by this catastrophic disaster.
