Nepal’s Deadly Floods and Landslides: A Nation in Crisis Amid Climate Change

Nepal, nestled in the Himalayas, is no stranger to natural disasters, particularly during the annual monsoon season. However, the country has recently witnessed an alarming surge in floods and landslides, leaving at least 66 dead, dozens missing, and thousands of families displaced. As intense rainfall continues to pound the South Asian nation, the death toll is expected to rise further, with the relentless rains forecasted to persist until Tuesday. These tragic events highlight the growing vulnerabilities of Nepal’s fragile topography to the effects of climate change.

Unprecedented Rainfall and Its Impact on Nepal

The devastation began on Friday evening when over 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rainfall inundated the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions. The valley, which is home to the capital city and a large population, saw most of its rivers swell beyond their banks, submerging thousands of homes and blocking major highways. Video footage captured harrowing scenes of people stranded on rooftops, their homes submerged in floodwaters. In several districts, landslides caused further destruction, wiping out houses, roads, and vital infrastructure.

The sheer volume of rainfall within such a short span overwhelmed the country’s rivers and drainage systems. Areas that had previously been deemed safe from the risks of flooding were quickly consumed by rising waters. “We have never experienced this kind of rain before,” remarked a local resident in Bhaktapur, east of Kathmandu, where five people, including a pregnant woman and a four-year-old girl, were killed when a landslide collapsed their home. “Our homes are not built to withstand such extreme conditions.”

In Dhading, west of Kathmandu, rescue workers have been battling against time and weather to retrieve bodies buried by landslides. So far, two bodies have been recovered from a bus that was engulfed by a landslide, while 12 passengers, including the driver, remain missing.

In another tragic incident, six football players perished when a landslide struck the All Nepal Football Association’s training centre in Makwanpur, southwest of the capital. The sports community is mourning this loss, as the athletes were on a promising path, training for upcoming competitions. Their deaths underscore the indiscriminate nature of such natural disasters, which continue to take lives across all sectors of society.

Floodwaters and Desperation

The floods have left communities devastated and desperate for help. One particularly heart-wrenching scene unfolded in the southern Kathmandu Valley, where four people were swept away by the raging Nakkhu River. Eyewitness Jitendra Bhandari recounted their desperate pleas for rescue. “For hours, they kept on pleading for help,” he said. “We could do nothing.” Despite efforts, only three of the victims were rescued downstream, while one person remains missing.

Hari Om Malla, a truck driver, also shared his harrowing experience. His truck was submerged as water rushed into the vehicle on Friday night, forcing him and his colleagues to jump out and swim for their lives. “We stayed the whole night in the cold,” Malla told reporters. He lost all his possessions to the flood, including his purse, bag, and mobile phone. “I have nothing now.”

By Saturday, over 2,000 people had been rescued from the floodwaters, though many more remain vulnerable. In total, more than 200 houses have been severely damaged, while private homes, offices, shopping centers, hospitals, and police stations have all been inundated, according to videos circulating on social media.

Government Response and Ongoing Rescue Efforts

Nepal’s home affairs ministry has confirmed that, in addition to the 66 confirmed deaths, 60 people have been injured, and 69 remain missing. To manage the widespread disaster, the government has mobilized an extensive search and rescue operation. Over 10,000 police officers, soldiers, and volunteers are on the ground, working tirelessly to save lives and provide relief to those stranded by floodwaters and landslides.

Nepal’s government, led by spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung, has been urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly road travel at night, as the situation remains precarious. The authorities have also blocked most highways, including those connecting the Kathmandu Valley with the rest of the country, as several stretches have been washed away or buried by landslides. These roadblocks are complicating rescue efforts and limiting access to essential supplies, leaving isolated communities to fend for themselves.

In addition to road transport, air travel has been heavily disrupted. Domestic flights were delayed or canceled on Friday and Saturday, further hampering efforts to deliver aid to remote regions. The government has requested that citizens stay informed via state media and adhere to warnings about the ongoing floods.

Infrastructure Damage and Essential Services Disrupted

Beyond the immediate danger posed to human lives, the floods and landslides have caused extensive damage to Nepal’s infrastructure. Water pipes have been broken, leaving thousands without access to clean water. Telephone and power lines have been destroyed, isolating communities and making communication with rescuers difficult. The widespread destruction of roads, bridges, and transportation systems means that even once the rains subside, it could take weeks or even months to fully restore essential services.

In the Kathmandu Valley, many residents are now cut off from the outside world. “We have no water, no electricity, and no way to leave,” said one local. Hospitals, already stretched thin by the ongoing disaster, are struggling to manage the influx of patients and those injured by the floods and landslides. Private homes and offices have also suffered severe flooding, adding to the economic toll the disaster will take on the nation.

Recurring Monsoon Disasters in Nepal

Nepal’s monsoon season, which runs from June to September, is an annual period of heavy rains, bringing both life-giving water to the agriculture-dependent country and deadly floods and landslides to its mountainous terrain. Each year, monsoon rains cause widespread destruction, but the intensity and frequency of these events have been increasing.

This year’s disaster comes on the heels of similar tragedies in previous monsoon seasons. In 2021, nearly 200 people died in Nepal due to floods and landslides triggered by torrential monsoon rains. As in past years, the government’s response has been reactive, scrambling to mount rescue and relief operations after the fact.

Despite Nepal’s history with these seasonal disasters, long-term mitigation measures, including better land-use planning, early warning systems, and flood-resistant infrastructure, remain limited. Many Nepali citizens, particularly those living in rural areas and along riverbanks, lack access to reliable information about flood risks and preparedness, leaving them particularly vulnerable to sudden and deadly floods.

Climate Change and the Future of Nepal’s Weather Patterns

While monsoons are a natural and expected part of Nepal’s climate, scientists are warning that human-induced climate change is making such weather events more severe and unpredictable. “A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, which means more intense rainfall events,” said a meteorologist from the Nepal Meteorological Department. This can lead to more frequent and devastating floods, especially in a country like Nepal, where the topography is dominated by steep mountains and narrow river valleys.

Warmer ocean waters are also energizing storm systems, causing them to behave in more erratic and violent ways. Scientists warn that as global temperatures continue to rise, these extreme weather events will become more frequent, leaving vulnerable nations like Nepal at the mercy of increasingly destructive floods and landslides.

For a country where nearly 80% of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihood, the intensification of monsoon rains due to climate change poses a dire threat. Crops, livestock, and infrastructure are all at risk of being destroyed by these more frequent and intense floods, exacerbating poverty and food insecurity.

Looking Ahead: Nepal’s Urgent Need for Adaptation and Preparedness

In the wake of this latest disaster, there are growing calls for Nepal to prioritize climate resilience and disaster preparedness. While the immediate focus remains on rescuing those affected by the floods, experts and officials alike are urging the government to take a more proactive approach to mitigate future disasters.

This includes investing in early warning systems that can provide communities with advance notice of incoming floods and landslides, enabling them to evacuate or take other protective measures. Building flood-resistant infrastructure, reinforcing embankments, and improving drainage systems are also key steps to reduce the impact of future floods.

As Nepal faces the reality of more frequent extreme weather events, the need for international cooperation and financial support is becoming increasingly urgent. The country’s limited resources mean it cannot tackle the challenges of climate change alone.