In Nepal, at least 59 dead and 44 missing in floods

Floods and landslides caused by heavy rains have killed at least 59 people in Nepal and 44 others are missing, police announced on Saturday (September 28).

>> Storm Boris: the death toll rises to 22 in central and eastern Europe

>> Ouragan Helene : massive flooding and at least 44 deaths in the United States

“So far, there are 59 dead, 36 injured and 44 missing.“, Nepalese police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki told AFP. Faced with the heavy rainfall which began on Friday September 27, the authorities had warned of flash floods in several rivers.

Faced with the heavy rainfall that began on Friday September 27, the authorities warned of flash floods in several rivers.

“Police work with other agencies and residents to rescue and find missing people” said Basanta Adhikari, a spokesperson for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

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“, lamented Hari Malla, a 49-year-old driver, to AFP.

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 September 27, 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.

AFP/VNA/CVN