Nepal is currently grappling with severe monsoon-related disasters, resulting in over 47 fatalities in less than a month. Floods, landslides, and lightning have caused widespread devastation across the country, significantly impacting life and property, as reported by Nepal's Home Ministry.
During a National Assembly meeting on Friday, Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, detailed the casualties caused by the monsoon. "As of now, there have been 55 flooding incidents leading to 4 deaths, 1 person missing, and 2 injured. Landslides have claimed 24 lives and injured 19. Heavy rainfall has been reported in 77 locations, resulting in injuries to 4 people. This totals 24 deaths, 1 missing, and 25 injured. Additionally, 46 houses have been completely destroyed, and 36 partially damaged. Lightning has impacted 32 districts, causing 19 deaths and 35 injuries," Aryal stated.
The monsoon season in Nepal typically spans from June 13 to September 23. This year, Nepal faces an increased number of deaths due to its rugged terrain, unplanned urbanization, and settlements on landslide-prone slopes.
The Kathmandu Valley, including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts, has experienced continuous heavy rain, leading to flooding in major rivers. The Bagmati and Bishnumati Rivers, crucial for Kathmandu, breached their danger levels, inundating residential areas. Places like Balkhu and Thapathali in Kathmandu faced flooding, forcing people to evacuate.
"The rain started yesterday and forced everyone out. There are children and people with medical conditions; though not new, the timing is unfortunate. The flooding started early this year in July (Ashar); water levels have reached knee-high. If the rain continues, we may have to flee for our lives," said Rajkumar BK, a slum resident in Kathmandu.
The government estimates that up to 1.8 million people could be affected by rain-related incidents this monsoon season as the rains intensify. In neighboring districts like Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, overflowing rivers submerged roads and pathways, with temples and buildings partially or completely underwater, carrying debris and mud.
Nepal is expected to experience above-average monsoon rainfall this year. The South Asian Climate Outlook Forum's 28th Session on April 29 indicated that most parts of South Asia, except for some northern, eastern, and northeastern areas, are likely to receive above-normal rainfall during the monsoon.
The usual onset and withdrawal dates for the monsoon in Nepal are June 13 and October 2, respectively. Last year, the monsoon arrived on June 14 and withdrew on October 15, delayed by thirteen days. This year, meteorologists predict a strong likelihood of La Nina conditions developing over the equatorial Pacific in the latter half of the southwest monsoon season, typically associated with normal to above-normal rainfall across most of South Asia.
El Nino and La Nina are opposing climate patterns that disrupt normal conditions. During El Nino, global temperatures rise due to warmer waters spreading and remaining near the surface, releasing more heat.
