The South Asian country of Nepal has witnessed the death of 200 people due to floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall in the capital city of Katmandu and surrounding towns. Following the most severe rainfall in the past twenty years, all neighborhoods in Katmandu were submerged underwater, and the highways were blocked by landslides, temporarily cutting off the capital from the rest of Nepal. Search and rescue teams in Katmandu have commenced work in the rubble-filled homes after the waters receded, which were triggered by monsoon floods leading to at least 200 deaths. The Ministry of Home Affairs spokesman Rishi Ram Tiwari stated, “According to the latest figures, 200 people have died, 127 were injured, and 26 are still missing.”

Police officials mentioned that at least 35 of the deceased were buried alive as a result of vehicles being hit by landslides on a highway south of Katmandu. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that they are working to rescue many people trapped on highways. Rescue teams are working to clear the mud in the worst-affected neighborhoods along the riverbanks surrounding Katmandu, most of which consist of unauthorized slum settlements. The Nepal army announced that over 4,000 people have been rescued, as helicopters, motorboats, and rafts are transporting stranded individuals to safety.

Nilkantha Pandey from the humanitarian organization CARE Nepal mentioned that most of those affected by the floods are in need of safe drinking water and temporary shelter. More than 300 people have lost their lives in rain-related disasters in Nepal this year.