September 29, 2024: The death toll from floods, landslides, and other natural disasters in Nepal has risen to 132, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Rescuers recovered 14 bodies overnight from two buses buried by a landslide while en route to Kathmandu. The tragedy struck just 10 miles from the capital. On Sunday, another 23 bodies were discovered at the same location, with workers racing against time to find others who may still be trapped under the debris.
According to a statement from Nepal's police, 86 people have been injured in various flood-related incidents, while 62 are still missing. With many rural areas of the mountainous country still unreachable, authorities fear the death toll will rise further as more reports come in.
Kathmandu Devastated by Floods
Kathmandu has been hit particularly hard, with 34 people confirmed dead from flooding. Over the weekend, residents in the southern part of the city, which had been inundated, began cleaning up their homes as water levels gradually receded. Heavy equipment was deployed to clear landslides from the roads, and rescue efforts continued in full swing, aided by both police and soldiers.
The government has announced the closure of schools and colleges across Nepal for the next three days to ensure public safety.
National Disaster Figures and Response
The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that 132 people have lost their lives in flood, landslide, and natural disaster incidents across the country. In the Kathmandu Valley alone, 68 deaths have been confirmed, while Bagmati Province reported 45 deaths, Koshi Province 17, and Madhes Province two. Additionally, 64 individuals are still missing, and 61 have sustained injuries. Despite the challenges, security forces have successfully rescued 3,626 people from high-risk areas, with the Nepal Army airlifting 193 individuals from Kavrepalanchok by helicopter on Sunday morning.
Efforts to reopen highways blocked by landslides are ongoing, with Home Ministry spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari confirming that all resources have been mobilized to restore access to critical roads. Helicopters and motorboats have been deployed to rescue stranded citizens, while the injured are being transported to hospitals for urgent treatment.
Monsoon Floods Linked to Broader Regional Weather Patterns
The 2024 monsoon season has wreaked havoc across Nepal, with torrential rains starting on September 26. Southeastern Nepal saw the Kosi River rise above danger levels, while Kathmandu Valley experienced a record 240 mm (9.4 inches) of rainfall over 24 hours between September 28-29, 2024 — the highest rainfall recorded since 1970.
Nepal’s flooding is part of a broader weather pattern affecting neighboring regions, including India’s Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Meteorologists attribute the prolonged monsoon and excessive rainfall to a low-pressure system hovering over the Bay of Bengal and northern India.
Impact on Infrastructure and Daily Life
The flooding has left thousands stranded and caused severe damage to infrastructure. Landslides have blocked key highways at 28 locations, cutting off access to Kathmandu and other regions. Over 3,000 security personnel have been deployed to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. Domestic flights from Kathmandu were also halted on September 27, grounding over 150 departures.
Calls for Better Infrastructure Planning
Experts warn that Nepal’s growing vulnerability to flooding is exacerbated by unplanned urban development. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has criticized the country's inadequate infrastructure investment, citing issues such as unplanned settlements, construction on floodplains, and poor urban planning along rivers like the Bagmati. The organization has urged the government to prioritize flood prevention mechanisms, including installing stormwater drainage systems and better land management practices to mitigate the risks posed by future monsoon seasons.
In July 2024, a catastrophic landslide along the Mugling-Narayanghat road swept two passenger buses, carrying 65 people, into the Trishuli River in the Simaltal area of Chitwan district, Nepal. Neither the buses nor the passengers have been found so far. Last month, severe flooding devastated Thame in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-5, Solukhumbu, in Nepal’s Everest region. Likely caused by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), the flood destroyed several houses in the remote village.