Impact of Late Monsoon Rains on Nepal
Late monsoon rains have caused significant damage across various regions of Nepal, particularly in the Bagmati, Madhesh, and Koshi provinces. As of Saturday and Sunday, the country has recorded at least 47 deaths due to water-related disasters. Nine individuals are still missing, while over 20 others have been injured in the eastern and southern parts of the country. Ongoing search and rescue operations are being conducted with the support of security personnel in affected areas.
Ilam District: The Worst Affected Area
Ilam, a hill district in the Koshi province, has been the most severely impacted by the monsoon-related disasters. According to the chief district officer, Sunita Nepal, the death toll from landslides triggered by continuous rainfall since Saturday night has reached 37. Additional casualties have been reported in other districts, including Rautahat (three deaths), Panchthar (two deaths), Udayapur (two deaths), Khotang (two deaths), and Kavrepalanchok (one death).
By Sunday evening, landslides in different parts of Ilam had claimed 37 lives. The breakdown includes five deaths in Suryodaya Municipality, six in Ilam Municipality, six in Sandakpur Rural Municipality, three in Mangsebung, eight in Maijogmai, eight in Deumai Municipality, and one in Phakphokthum Rural Municipality. Among the deceased are 17 men and 20 women, including eight children.
Tragic Landslide in Sandakpur Rural Municipality
One of the most tragic incidents occurred in Sandakpur Rural Municipality, where 70-year-old Sharada Devi Sedhain and her 45-year-old daughter Indra lost their lives. Their home was located in Tari, ward 3, and no one in the neighborhood expected it to be hit by a landslide. However, relentless rainfall triggered a landslide that swept away the irrigation canal above their home, completely burying the house and killing both mother and daughter.
The landslide began when the water from the canal eroded the soil, turning into a torrent of mud and debris that destroyed everything in its path. Neighbors expressed disbelief, as such events were not anticipated in this area.
Another Tragedy in Ilam Municipality
In Ghos, ward 6 of Ilam Municipality, another tragedy unfolded when a landslide swept through the home of Biraj Pakhrin Tamang, killing six people. Three members of the Tamang family and three guests who were staying overnight were among the victims. Local journalist Satendra Jagegu noted that landslides had never been predicted in this area, and people had lived there for generations without any prior concerns.
Displacement and Damage in Jhapa
Severe flooding in Jhapa has displaced more than 25,000 people, with nearly 5,500 homes submerged across several rivers, including Mai, Mechi, Ratuwa, Paliya, Ninda, Timai, Andhuwa, and Kamal. This marks the largest flood crisis in the district since 2017, when 39 people died and over 5,000 were displaced. Despite the scale of the disaster, human casualties have been remarkably low, with only one confirmed death—a man found dead in the Mai river after reportedly being swept away in Ilam.
Physical damage has been extensive, and the number of displaced people has more than tripled compared to previous floods. Chief District Officer of Jhapa, Gopal Prasad Adhikari, attributed the low human toll to proactive measures, including early warnings disseminated via loudspeakers and radio.
Rescue Efforts and Relief Operations
Jhapa Rural Municipality bore the brunt of the floods, with excessive water levels in the Mai river inundating settlements in wards 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. Over 5,189 homes were submerged, displacing approximately 24,000 people. In ward 2, the home of Khilmani Rajbanshi was surrounded by floodwaters, complicating rescue efforts. A Nepali Army helicopter evacuated her 16-member family to safety.
Other affected areas include Shivasatakshi, Gauriganj, Gauradaha, and Bhadrapur. Damage to homes, livestock, crops, and infrastructure such as roads and electricity has been reported, though detailed assessments are still pending.
Displaced families are currently taking shelter in schools, community buildings, and relatives’ homes. The District Administration Office, with the help of police, armed forces, and local volunteers, is continuing rescue and relief operations. The District Disaster Management Committee is coordinating with local authorities and the Nepal Red Cross Society to supply food, water, and medicine.
Missing Trekkers in Rasuwa District
In a separate incident, four trekkers went missing after being swept away by the Bering stream in ward 4 of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality of Rasuwa district on Saturday. The victims are from Bhaktapur. On Friday morning, a group of 16 people had set out to tour Langtang. They spent Friday night at a hotel in Bamboo and resumed their journey early Saturday morning. While crossing the stream along the route, four members of the group were swept away by the river’s strong current.
The missing include 26-year-old Sanita Shrestha, 24-year-old Sanskriti Shrestha, and 20-year-old Kishan Shrestha of Suryabinayak Municipality, and 23-year-old Ravi Shrestha from Bhaktapur Municipality-10. Sanita, Sanskriti, and Kishan are siblings. Rescue teams have yet to locate the missing youths, leaving the family and community anxiously waiting for news.
