Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal has started to evaluate the extensive damage caused by severe floods and landslides that have claimed the lives of at least 192 people. The catastrophic event, triggered by incessant rains over the past two days, has left the nation grappling with the aftermath.

The heavy rainfall, influenced by a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, led to rivers overflowing and causing widespread destruction. The hardest-hit areas include the Kathmandu Valley, where 56 deaths were reported. The valley, home to four million people, experienced one of its worst devastations in recent years, with homes, hospitals, roads, bridges, and markets submerged under floodwaters.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with the Nepalese army deploying helicopters, motorboats, and rafts to evacuate over 4,000 people. However, the search continues for at least 31 individuals who remain missing. The government has mobilized resources to clear debris from highways and restore connectivity to the capital, which was temporarily cut off due to landslides.

Experts have pointed to unplanned urbanization and poor infrastructure as significant factors exacerbating the disaster. Surya Raj Acharya, an infrastructure and urban planning expert, highlighted that encroachment on riverbanks and inadequate drainage systems contributed to the flooding. Climate change has also been cited as a key factor, with increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his condolences to the affected families and assured that the government would provide all necessary support for recovery and rebuilding efforts. The focus now shifts to assessing the full extent of the damage and implementing measures to prevent such disasters in the future.