Heavy rain and storms have triggered India Nepal floods, landslides and dangerous river conditions, killing at least 19 people and leaving 10 workers missing, authorities said.
The worst impact in India has been reported in Uttar Pradesh. State authorities said 15 people died and five others were injured during the past 48 hours. At least 117 houses were also damaged.
Rainfall reached exceptional levels across the state. Officials said 63 districts were affected, while the state recorded 19 times its normal rainfall during the 24 hours ending Saturday.
Four Killed in Nepal Landslide
In Nepal, four people were killed after a landslide buried their home while they were sleeping in Nishi Khola village in Baglung district.
The victims included three children and a woman. Krishna Prasad Acharya, the district’s senior-most bureaucrat, confirmed the deaths.
Meanwhile, 10 Nepali workers remain missing after an avalanche buried the base camp of Himlung Himal in northern Manang district.
The 7,126-metre mountain is a popular destination for foreign climbers. The workers had been preparing tents for climbers, but no foreign climbers were at the camp when the avalanche struck.
Nepal Warns of Flash-Flood Risks
Nepalese authorities have warned of possible flash floods across 49 of the country’s 77 districts.
More than half of the districts are facing high flood or flash-flood risks as water levels continue to rise in major rivers and tributaries.
Officials have also urged communities in areas recently affected by deadly flooding to remain cautious.
Shanti Mahat, a spokesperson for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, said Rasuwa and Nuwakot should remain alert. However, he said the two districts were not currently classified as high-risk areas.
Hydropower Project Damaged
The rising water has also damaged infrastructure in Nepal.
Flooding in the Rahuganga River damaged part of a 40-megawatt hydropower project, including its transmission-line towers.
Water Resources and Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha said a technical team had been sent to assess the damage and begin restoration work.
The damage adds to concerns about the impact of severe weather on Nepal’s power and transport infrastructure.
Major Indian Rivers Above Danger Levels
The situation is also serious across several parts of India.
The Central Water Commission said 30 river-monitoring stations across seven states were in a severe situation. Water levels at these locations were between designated danger marks and previous highest flood levels.
Several major rivers, including the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati and Narmada, were reported above danger levels at monitoring stations.
The combination of heavy rainfall and rising rivers has increased the threat of further flooding in vulnerable areas.
Telecommunications Disrupted in Nepal
Flooding and landslides have also affected communications.
Telecommunications services were disrupted in parts of Nepal after damage to optical-fibre networks and power supplies, Communications Minister Bikram Timilsinha said.
Authorities continue to monitor river levels and weather conditions as heavy rain raises the risk of additional flooding and landslides across affected areas.
