KATHMANDU — At least 21 people have been killed and five remain missing after four days of torrential rain triggered floods and landslides across Nepal, the country’s disaster authority said.
According to an update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, landslides accounted for most of the casualties, claiming 14 lives and leaving five people missing. Floods caused four deaths, while three fatalities were attributed to continuous heavy rainfall.
The severe weather from September 24 to 27 destroyed 260 homes completely and partially damaged 80 others, while about 3,000 residents were evacuated from high-risk areas.
The low-pressure system that originated in the Bay of Bengal dumped more than 100 millimeters of rain at 186 monitoring stations, with some stations recording over 544 millimeters, according to the authority.
Districts including Baglung, Myagdi, Mustang, Manang, Palpa, and Nawalparasi were among the worst affected. Near Lete in Mustang District, video posted online showed a massive section of mountainside collapsing into the Kali Gandaki River within seconds, temporarily blocking the watercourse.
Emergency teams, including Armed Police Force units, carried out helicopter evacuations in the mountain districts of Jajarkot, Myagdi, and Sankhuwasabha. Authorities warned of further flash floods and landslides as rivers remained swollen, according to weather.com.