Floods and landslides caused by heavy rains have killed at least ten people in Nepal and left at least 18 missing, a disaster authority official said on Saturday. Faced with the heavy rainfall that began on Friday, the authorities warned of flash floods in several rivers. “Police are working with other agencies and residents to rescue and find missing people”Basanta Adhikari, a spokesperson for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, told AFP.
Rivers in the capital Kathmandu swelled, flooding homes and cars near the banks. “When I went out in the middle of the night, the water was up to my shoulders. My whole truck is underwater.”deplored Hari Malla, a 49-year-old driver, to AFP.
Navesh Chitrakar / REUTERS
More than 3,000 security forces were deployed to assist in the rescue operations using helicopters and motorboats. Landslides blocked several highways, leaving hundreds of people struggling. All domestic flights from Kathmandu were canceled from Friday evening, affecting more than 150 departures.
Monsoons from June to September cause death and destruction across South Asia each year, but the number of deadly floods and landslides has increased in recent years. Experts say climate change has worsened their frequency and intensity. More than 170 people have died in Nepal in rain-related natural disasters this year.
