KATHMANDU, Sept 27: Continuous rainfall across Nepal since Thursday has triggered fresh floods and landslides in several parts of the country, sweeping away houses, disrupting road traffic and forcing residents to evacuate vulnerable areas.
The latest spell of bad weather comes as Nepal continues to recover from devastating flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), at least 1,453 people have died, while more than 5,000 remain missing. A total of 13,795 people have been rescued so far.
In Rupandehi district, rising waters of the Tinau River swept away six houses along the riverbank in Butwal on Saturday night after the river crossed the danger level.
Officials said around 200 houses along the riverbank were at risk. Security personnel evacuated nearly 1,000 people as the Tinau and nearby streams continued to swell amid heavy rain.
Residents from the high-risk Majhuwa area of Butwal Metropolitan City were initially shifted to a holding centre and later moved to safer locations, including schools.
In Chitwan district, the Narayani River and Riu stream also crossed their respective danger levels early Sunday.
At the Devghat gauge station, the Narayani River reached 9.23 metres, exceeding its danger level of 9 metres. The Riu stream also rose to 3.92 metres, above its danger level of 3.8 metres.
Heavy rainfall triggered several landslides and mudslides in Chitwan, disrupting traffic on key roads. Landslides were reported at Dharapani and Simaldhara, blocking roads in both directions.
Flood and landslide risks have also increased in Karnali Province, where several rivers continue to rise.
The Thuli Bheri River in Dolpa reached 3.46 metres, close to its warning level, while the Karnali River in Humla and Mugu Karnali also recorded rising water levels.
A landslide blocked the Nagna-Gamgadhi road in Mugu, while a mudslide at Gagne Khola in Kalikot disrupted the Karnali Highway.
Landslides have also affected traffic along the Karnali Corridor at several locations in Humla.
In Jumla, water levels in the Tila Karnali and Sija rivers remained relatively stable.
Authorities across the affected districts have urged residents living near rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas to remain vigilant and move to safer locations if water levels rise or conditions deteriorate.
Earlier on Saturday, flooding from the Narayani and Saptakoshi rivers inundated 389 houses in Nawalparasi West and Saptari districts, forcing hundreds of families to relocate to safer areas.
