KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — At least 44 people have been killed and five others reported missing on Sunday due to flooding caused by landslides, lighting strikes and severe rainfall, authorities said.
The people killed included at least 37 people in the eastern mountain area of Illam. There, the entire village was cleaned up by the landslide, said Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Agency. Several others are still missing.
Torrential rains have been on the border with India since Friday and have been reported in a district known for growing tea.
Six people from the same family were killed when they shattered the house, the manager of Ilam’s manager of Bholanath, said Ilam’s manager.
Rainfall has hindered efforts to reach the village, with many roads being wiped out or blocked by landslides.
The government said helicopters are evacuating people who need medical evacuation and helping ground forces move people into safer areas.
Another person was killed in a landslide in a nearby area.
Three people from another district were killed when struck by lightning, and three more died in floods in southern Nepal.
Nepal’s government issued serious rainfall warnings while closures of major expressways in the eastern and central parts of the country from Saturday to Monday. All domestic flights were grounded by aviation authorities on Saturday due to heavy rain and poor visibility, but resumed on Sunday.
The main highways and other areas connecting the capital Kathmandu were blocked by landslides and other areas were closed as a precautionary measure, causing other areas to be closed by authorities.
By Sunday evening, one route was partially opened for traffic.
The road and transport blockage came as hundreds of thousands returned to Kathmandu after celebrating Dassine, the largest festival in the Himalayan nation. Thursday was the main day of the two-week festival, when people travelled to their hometown villages to stay with their families.
The highway was stuck with vehicles on Sunday as the government assessed the situation.
In Kathmandu, several areas near the river have been flooded, but no major damage or casualties have been reported.
The government had declared national public holidays until Monday due to heavy rain.
Floods and landslides last year Around the same time, 224 people were killed and 158 were injured.
Neighborhood India surrounding Nepal, inland on three sides, offers help.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on social platform X that the loss and damage caused by the heavy rains in Nepal are painful.
“We are standing with the people of Nepal and the government during these difficult times,” he said. “As a friendly neighbor and first responder, India remains committed to providing the assistance that may be needed.”
There were no comments regarding the offer from Nepal.
Heavy weekend rains arrived at the end of Nepal’s monsoon season. This usually starts in June and ends by mid-September.
