Nepal is witnessing severe monsoon-related disasters, with over 47 fatalities reported in less than a month.
Floods, landslides, and lightning have wreaked havoc across the country, causing significant damage to life and property, according to Nepal’s Home Ministry. During a National Assembly meeting on Friday, Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, briefed members on the casualties caused by the monsoon havoc.
“As of now, there have been a total of 55 flooding incidents resulting in 4 deaths, 1 person missing, and 2 injured. Landslides have claimed 24 lives and injured 19. Heavy rainfall has been reported in 77 locations, resulting in injuries to 4 people. This totals to 24 deaths, 1 missing, and 25 injured. Additionally, 46 houses have been completely damaged and 36 partially damaged. Lightning has affected 32 districts, causing 19 deaths and 35 injuries,” Aryal stated.
The monsoon season typically begins in Nepal on June 13 and ends on September 23. Last year, it began on June 14, one day later than usual. Nepal faces a higher number of deaths due to landslides and floods during the monsoon due to its terrain, unplanned urbanisation, and settlements on slopes prone to landslides.
The Kathmandu Valley, encompassing Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts, has experienced continuous heavy rain, causing flooding in major rivers.
The Bagmati and Bishnumati Rivers, crucial lifelines in Kathmandu, breached their danger marks, flooding residential areas. Areas like Balkhu and Thapathali in Kathmandu saw flooding, forcing people to seek shelter.
“The rain started yesterday and forced everyone out. There are children and people with medical conditions; though not new, the timing is unfortunate. The flooding started early this year in July (Ashar); water levels have reached knee-high. If the rain continues, we may have to flee for our lives,” said Rajkumar BK, a slum resident in Kathmandu.
As the monsoon intensifies across Nepal, the government estimates that up to 1.8 million people could be affected by rain-related incidents this season.
In neighbouring districts like Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, rivers overflowed, submerging roads and pathways as the rainfall persisted. Temples and buildings were partially or completely submerged, carrying debris and mud.
Nepal anticipates above-average monsoon rainfall this year. According to the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum’s 28th Session on April 29, most parts of South Asia, except some northern, eastern, and northeastern areas, are likely to experience above-normal rainfall during the monsoon.
The usual onset and withdrawal dates for the monsoon in Nepal are June 13 and October 2, respectively. Last year, the monsoon entered eastern Nepal on June 14 and withdrew on October 15, delayed by thirteen days.
This year, meteorologists in South Asia predict a strong likelihood of La Nina conditions developing over the equatorial Pacific in the latter half of the southwest monsoon season. La Nina conditions typically correlate with normal to above-normal rainfall across most of South Asia.
El Nino and La Nina are opposing climate patterns that disrupt normal conditions. During El Nino, global temperatures rise due to warmer waters spreading and remaining near the surface, releasing more heat.