Severe rains in Nepal and India have triggered floods and landslides, claiming more than 60 lives and leaving rescue teams struggling to reach isolated communities in mountainous areas.
Nepal has experienced torrential rainfall since Friday, causing rivers to overflow and inundating many settlements. Officials reported that at least 44 people have died and five are missing due to rain-related disasters. The eastern district of Illam was hit hardest, with 37 deaths caused by landslides, local authorities said.
“Heavy overnight rains caused landslides, blocking many roads and making rescue operations challenging,” said Sunita Nepal, a district official. Security forces have deployed helicopters and motorboats to aid affected communities, while residents along rivers in Kathmandu were evacuated to safer areas.
Prime Minister Sushila Karki assured that government agencies were “fully prepared for rescue and relief” and declared public holidays to prevent unnecessary travel.
Across the border in India, at least 20 people died in Darjeeling, West Bengal, after flash floods and landslides destroyed homes and infrastructure. Videos on Indian news channels showed rescue teams using cables to reach stranded residents. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the deaths and said the situation was being closely monitored.
India’s meteorological department issued a red alert for extreme rainfall in sub-Himalayan areas, including Darjeeling, until Monday. The Indian army also joined rescue operations in Bhutan, evacuating residents stranded in border towns such as Phuentsholing.
Experts warn that climate change is intensifying such disasters, increasing the frequency and severity of floods and landslides across South Asia. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development had warned this monsoon season of heightened disaster risks due to rising temperatures and extreme rainfall.
