KATHMANDU, Nepal: Residents in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, returned to their flood-ravaged homes on Sunday after devastating floods claimed at least 104 lives across the country. Torrential monsoon rains triggered flash floods and landslides, leaving entire neighborhoods submerged and major highways blocked by debris.
The monsoon season, which runs from June to September, often brings widespread destruction to South Asia. However, experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of these weather events. In just 24 hours, Kathmandu recorded 240 millimeters (9.4 inches) of rainfall, the highest in the capital since 1970, according to the country’s weather bureau.
The Bagmati River, along with its tributaries, broke their banks, flooding homes and streets. Residents, including slum dwellers like Kumar Tamang, fled in the middle of the night as the floodwaters rose dangerously. By Sunday, they were left to deal with homes filled with mud and water, struggling to clean up after the disaster.
Nepal’s Home Ministry confirmed that 104 people have died, and 64 remain missing. Rescue teams, aided by helicopters and motorboats, have rescued over 3,000 people. Bulldozers were also deployed to clear blocked highways, which had left Kathmandu cut off from other parts of the country.
With domestic flights resuming after being canceled due to weather, the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of one of its worst floods in decades. Over 260 people have died in rain-related disasters in Nepal, this year so far, a grim reminder of the growing impact of climate change in the region.
