Heavy monsoon rains cause floods and landslides, leaving 90 people dead in Nepal

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Heavy monsoon rains over the past 30 days have caused severe floods and landslides across Nepal, leaving at least 90 people dead.

The latest death toll was announced on July 18, after five more people died in Gorkha and Parbat districts. According to Nepal's Home Ministry, more than 55 people have been injured and 18 are still missing.

In Bhaktapur District alone, floods and landslides damaged 552 homes, 15 sheds, 28 industries and factories including petrol pumps, 133 retail and wholesale shops, a bridge, a road and two hospitals and schools, district officials said July 17. 

Water level in the Saptakoshi river reached this year’s highest on July 15 as heavy rainfall continued to batter the eastern hill districts. A red alert light has been lit on the barrage and 29 of the 56 sluices have been opened to lower the river’s water level.

At least 8 people died and more than 3 000 were displaced after a large landslide hit the district on July 13.

Meanwhile, rain-swollen Saptakoshi river has breached its banks on July 14 and inundated Gobargadha settlement in Hanuman Nagar Kankalini Municipality-13, Saptari.

Relief workers have still not reached the settlement as of July 18, leaving locals angry with the local administration and the government for ignoring their plight.

The flood-affected families are taking shelter at local school and office buildings and they lack clean drinking water and food. They said the floodwaters have still not receded from the settlement.

Featured image credit: Nepal Red Cross Society

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