Nepal continues to grapple with a humanitarian crisis of monumental proportions, as torrential monsoon rains have unleashed catastrophic floods and landslides, claiming the lives of at least 112 people in the last 24 hours alone. Over 100 others are reported to be injured, many critically, and rescue teams are still searching for at least 68 missing persons. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the growing intensity of natural disasters fueled by climate change, as Nepal, like much of South Asia, faces increasingly volatile and destructive monsoon seasons.
The capital city, Kathmandu, and its surrounding regions have been among the hardest hit. Major rivers, including the Bagmati, have overflowed their banks, inundating residential areas, agricultural fields, and vital infrastructure. The flooding has submerged entire neighborhoods, forcing families to seek refuge on rooftops or in makeshift shelters. Streets that were once bustling with activity now resemble rivers, with murky, debris-filled waters cutting off access to basic services and leaving thousands stranded.
In response, the Nepalese government has mobilized more than 3,000 security personnel, deploying helicopters, motorboats, and rafts to rescue those trapped in the rising waters. Despite their best efforts, the sheer scale of the disaster has stretched resources thin. Many areas remain inaccessible due to landslides and damaged roads, complicating the logistics of rescue and relief operations. Videos circulating on social media have shown buildings collapsing into the torrents, underscoring the deadly force of the floods and the precarious situation faced by thousands of residents.
This disaster has prompted the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA) to issue dire warnings. With more than 412,000 households expected to be affected by monsoon-related disasters this season, the full scope of the crisis is far from being realized. The government has declared a state of emergency in several districts, appealing for international aid to support ongoing relief efforts and to provide food, clean water, shelter, and medical supplies to those in need.
The monsoon rains, which are typical in this part of the world, have been intensified by the worsening effects of climate change, experts say. Over the past decade, the frequency and severity of these weather events have increased dramatically, with heavier downpours, longer monsoon seasons, and greater damage to infrastructure and ecosystems. According to Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a climate and environmental expert with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), this year’s floods are among the worst in living memory. “I’ve never seen flooding on this scale in Kathmandu,” he remarked, reflecting the shock of many local residents who are now facing the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.
Saturday alone saw a record-breaking 323 millimeters of rainfall in 24 hours—Nepal’s highest in 54 years. While flooding is not uncommon during the monsoon, this level of devastation is unprecedented, and scientists are warning that without more robust climate adaptation strategies, such disasters will only become more frequent. Experts are calling for immediate action on climate resilience, pointing out that much of Nepal's infrastructure—particularly in rural and mountainous regions—remains vulnerable to floods, landslides, and other extreme weather events.
In the aftermath of the floods, public health concerns are also growing. With contaminated water sources and the widespread destruction of sanitation facilities, there is a heightened risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Medical teams are working alongside rescue personnel to provide immediate care, but many hospitals are overwhelmed by the influx of patients, and supplies are running low. The destruction of roads and bridges has further hampered the delivery of essential medical supplies and aid to remote communities that have been cut off from the outside world.
In addition to the loss of life and widespread displacement, the floods are expected to have devastating long-term economic impacts. Agriculture, which forms the backbone of Nepal's rural economy, has been severely affected, with thousands of acres of crops washed away by the floods. Livestock losses are also mounting, and with vital infrastructure such as irrigation systems destroyed, farmers face a difficult road to recovery. The economic toll is expected to be in the billions, further straining a country already grappling with the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic challenges.
As rescue operations continue, the Nepalese government is urging citizens in affected areas to remain vigilant, avoid traveling through flood-prone regions, and heed evacuation warnings. Many communities, particularly in the southern plains of the Terai, are still bracing for more rain in the days to come, with weather forecasts predicting continued monsoon activity. The threat of additional landslides in Nepal’s mountainous regions remains high, posing a further risk to both residents and rescue teams.
The international community has begun to respond to Nepal's calls for assistance. Neighboring countries, including India and China, have offered emergency aid, and various international organizations, such as the Red Cross and UN relief agencies, are coordinating efforts to deliver food, medical supplies, and temporary shelters to those displaced by the floods. However, with so many regions affected and the scale of the disaster still growing, it will take a concerted global effort to fully address the needs of the affected populations and to help Nepal recover from this calamity.
In the coming weeks, attention will also turn to rebuilding and rehabilitation. Experts are urging the government to take a more proactive stance on disaster preparedness, investing in stronger flood defenses, early warning systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure. The floods of 2024 have made it clear that Nepal's current systems are insufficient to handle the growing threats posed by climate change, and without significant reforms, the country will continue to face mounting risks in future monsoon seasons.
As the floodwaters slowly begin to recede, the people of Nepal are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but with resilience and support from the global community, Nepal hopes to rebuild stronger and more resilient than before.
