NEW DEHLI: Floods and landslides kill more than 50 in India and 14 in Nepal after heavy rain and storms triggered widespread flooding and landslides across parts of the two neighbouring countries. At least 56 people have died in India, while Nepal has reported 14 deaths and 11 people missing.
Floods and landslides kill more than 50 in India and 14 in Nepal as warnings issued
In India, northern Uttar Pradesh recorded 66.5 millimetres of rain between September 25 and the morning of September 27, significantly above the normal 7.6mm recorded for the same period, according to state relief commissioner Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod.
Authorities have launched rescue operations in waterlogged areas and are distributing relief supplies. Officials have also been instructed to assess damage to crops and provide compensation to affected people.
In addition to the reported deaths, 46 people have been injured and more than 1,000 houses have been damaged.
Nepal warns of further flash floods
Nepali authorities have warned of possible flash floods in 49 of the country’s 77 districts as water levels in major rivers and tributaries continue to rise. More than half of the districts are facing a high risk of flooding or flash floods.
Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, said the districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot should remain alert following last month’s devastating floods. Those floods reportedly killed more than 1,450 people and left thousands missing, although the two districts were not considered high-risk areas at the time of the latest warning.
Power and communications disrupted
Electricity supplies have been completely disrupted in Manang, Mustang, Myagdi and Baglung, with officials working to restore power, according to energy ministry officials.
Flooding along the Rahuganga River also damaged infrastructure and transmission-line towers connected to a 40-megawatt hydropower project, Water Resources and Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha said.
Telecommunications services have also been disrupted in parts of Nepal after floods and landslides damaged optical fibre networks and power supplies.
Rivers rise above danger levels in India
India’s Central Water Commission reported a severe situation at 30 river-monitoring stations across seven states.
Also Read: Five Million Affected by Bihar Floods as Severe Flooding Worsens in India
Several major rivers, including the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati and Narmada, were reported to be flowing above danger levels, raising concerns over further flooding in affected areas.
Avalanche leaves 10 workers missing in Nepal
In a separate incident in Nepal, 10 local workers were reported missing after an avalanche buried the base camp of Himlung Himal in the northern Manang district.
The mountain stands at 7,126 metres (23,379 feet). The workers had been preparing tents for foreign climbers, who were not at the camp when the avalanche struck.
Authorities continue to monitor weather and water levels while rescue and relief efforts remain underway in affected areas.
