The incessant rainfall from the 26th to the 28th of September has wreaked havoc across the central and eastern regions of Nepal. The rainfall exceeded 340 mm, the highest amount on record to date, and the impacts have been catastrophic.
Massive floods and landslides triggered by the rainfall have displaced thousands of people and left a trail of destruction across the country. As of October 1st, 2024, the death toll has reached 215, with over 25 people still missing, according to official reports. The capital, Kathmandu, was especially hard-hit, submerged under water for three days, resulting in the loss of over 60 lives.
The country has witnessed widespread devastation of roads, bridges, houses, and infrastructure, further setting back Nepal’s development efforts. Highways and roadways remained blocked for three days, leaving travelers stranded and blocking the transportation of food and other basic items into the valley.
Rescue and relief efforts by the government, non-governmental organizations, and individuals are ongoing. Despite government’s claims that over 20,000 security and army personnel have been deployed, the response has been criticized for severe shortcomings. Delays in response, unresponsive hotline numbers, and a lack of adequate and advanced rescue equipment have been observed as some of the major challenges.
Additionally, as is common in most disasters, the floods and landslides have hit the most marginalized people the hardest. Pregnant women, children, elderly citizens, and people with disabilities are the most vulnerable. The urban flooding has also exposed class differences within the Kathmandu Valley, as the working class, laborers, and wage workers struggled for their lives, while others seemed detached from the crisis.
Climate change is considered a leading factor in such increasingly extreme weather events. The Global South, particularly South and Southeast Asia, is highly disaster-prone and likely to face more such crises in the years to come. These events underscore the urgent need for inclusive disaster risk governance to protect vulnerable populations and reduce future risks.
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