Deadly landslides and flash floods hit Nepal

At least nine people have lost their lives after heavy downpour over the past days triggered flash flooding and landslides in central and western Nepal. Rescue efforts continued on Monday, July 6, 2020, but were hampered due to blocked roads and severe weather conditions.

Heavy rains on July 2 caused a landslide in the Ishma Rural Municipality of Gulmi District, killing two people and affecting seven families, according to the disaster management authorities.

In a separate incident on the same day, one person went missing following a mudslide in Musikot, also in Gulmi.

Intense rainfall continued into July 3, triggering flooding in the Aadarsha Rural Municipality of Doti District. About 26 families had been affected.

Bajhang bore the brunt of the severe weather as flooding and landslides pounded the district on July 4.

Floodwaters affected 13 families in the Bungal Municipality, while a major mudslide in the Kedarasyu Rural Municipality left 17 homes damaged or destroyed.

Six fatalities and one person missing were reported in the area, and at least 400 individuals have been displaced.

Another landslide struck on July 5, killing one person in the Purbichauki Rural Municipality.

The Nepal Army has retrieved several landslide victims of Gulmi on Monday, in coordination with locals and other security agencies. Meanwhile, six others were rescued and have been taken to Kathmandu for treatment.

The army has also arranged the temporary displacement of 117 families made vulnerable by the landslide. Relief materials have been distributed, arranged by the District Administration Office and Nepal Red Cross Society Gulmi.

Rescue efforts are ongoing in other areas but were being affected by blocked roads and severe weather conditions.

Featured image credit: Shalime Online/YouTube