Nepalese villages are swept away by heavy rainfall and landslides,
leaving at least 44 dead
[October 06, 2025]
By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Landslides, a lighting strike and floodings
triggered by severe rainfall killed at least 44 people in Nepal on
Sunday, with five others reported missing, authorities said.
Those killed included at least 37 people in the eastern mountain
district of Illam, where whole villages were swept away by landslides,
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said.
Several other people are still missing.
Heavy rainfall was reported since Friday in the district, which borders
India and is known for growing tea.
Six people in the same family were killed when a landslide crushed their
home while they slept, Illam’s assistant administrative officer
Bholanath Guragai said.
Rainfall was hampering efforts to reach the villages and many roads were
swept away or blocked by the landslides.
The government said helicopters were also evacuating people needing
medical evacuations and ground troops were helping move people to safer
areas.
One more person was killed in landslide in a neighboring district.
Three people in another district were killed as they were struck by
lightning, while three more people died in flooding in southern Nepal.
Nepal's government issued a severe rainfall warning in the eastern and
central parts of the country from Saturday to Monday, while shutting
down major highways. All domestic flights were grounded on Saturday by
aviation authorities because of heavy rainfall and poor visibility but
were reopened on Sunday.
The major highways connecting the capital, Kathmandu, with other areas
were closed by the authorities as some parts were blocked by landslides
and others were shut as a precautionary measure.
By Sunday evening, one route was partially opened for traffic.
[to top of second column]
|
Nepalese army personnel get ready to rescue survivors after a flood
in Jhapa district east of Nepal, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Nepal Army
via AP)
The blockage of roads and transport came as hundreds of thousands of
people were returning to Kathmandu after celebrating Dashain, the
biggest festival in the Himalayan nation. Thursday was the main day
of the two-week festival when people travel to their home villages
to be with their families.
Highways were clogged with vehicles on Sunday, as the government
assessed the situation.
In Kathmandu, some areas near the river were flooded but no major
damage or casualties were reported.
The government had declared a national holiday until Monday because
of the heavy rainfall.
Flooding and landslides last year around the same time killed 224
people and left 158 injured.
Neighboring India, which surrounds landlocked Nepal on three sides,
has offered to help.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said on social platform X that
the loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal are
distressing.
“We stand with the people and Government of Nepal in this difficult
time,” he said. “As a friendly neighbor and first responder, India
remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required.”
There was no comment from Nepal on the offer.
The weekend's heavy rainfall arrived at the end of Nepal’s monsoon
season, which usually begins in June and ends by mid-September.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
