KATHMANDU: The death toll from devastating floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains across Nepal has climbed to at least 150, with hundreds more still unaccounted for, authorities said Wednesday. Officials warned that the number of fatalities is almost certain to rise as rescue teams reach isolated villages and recovery efforts continue.
The disaster has struck multiple districts, sweeping away homes, bridges and road sections. Among the missing are a significant number of foreign nationals who were visiting the Himalayan nation for tourism, pilgrimage or mountaineering. More than 100 Indian tourists are reported unaccounted for, according to the country’s home ministry. In addition, 54 American and 33 British citizens have been listed as missing, while over 100 Nepali nationals remain untraced.
“The scale of this catastrophe is unprecedented in this region,” said a senior disaster management official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are doing everything we can with helicopters and ground teams, but the weather and damaged infrastructure are hampering our efforts.”
The government has deployed police, army personnel and electricity department staff to the worst-hit areas. Ironically, some of those rescuers are themselves among the missing, as several teams were caught in sudden mudslides while attempting to restore power lines and clear blocked highways.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with military helicopters airlifting stranded survivors from rooftops and hilltops. However, many remote settlements remain cut off, and officials fear that the final death toll could climb significantly. The monsoon season typically brings heavy rainfall to Nepal, but this year’s downpour has been exceptionally violent, with rivers swelling beyond danger levels in a matter of hours.
International embassies have been coordinating with Nepali authorities to verify the status of their citizens. Meanwhile, local communities are digging through debris with their bare hands, searching for loved ones. The government has set up emergency shelters and is appealing for international aid to support the relief effort.
