Nepal faces fresh heavy rain, mudslide threats a month after devastating floods
With the horror of August 26 flash floods still haunting, a fresh weather alert has been issued for Nepal, with the US Embassy in Kathmandu warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of the Himalayan nation from September 25 to 27, raising the risk of flash floods, landslides, debris flows and inundation.
The warning comes almost exactly a month after the August 26 disaster, which killed more than 1,450 people and left thousands unaccounted for.
The US Embassy in Nepal, in its September 24 advisory, said, "Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Nepal from September 25–27".
The embassy said the anticipated weather could cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly, trigger flash floods and landslides, and disrupt road and air travel.
Nepali authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary long-distance and nighttime road journeys during the forecast period.
Travellers have also been advised to reconsider trekking and high-altitude trips, while staying away from rivers, streams, flooded roads and trails, steep slopes and other areas vulnerable to landslides.THE AUGUST 26 FLASH FLOOD HORROR
The renewed warning assumes greater significance because Nepal is still dealing with the enormous human and physical toll of the August 26 catastrophe.
The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse or ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, sent a massive surge of water, mud and debris into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.
It devastated settlements, swept away roads and bridges and severely damaged hydropower infrastructure.
By September 20, Nepal's death toll had crossed 1,450, according to Nepal Police data.
The latest figures provided in the background put the toll at 1,452, including 1,450 bodies recovered across eight affected districts and two people who died while undergoing treatment in Kathmandu, Nepal News reported.
The districts with the highest numbers of recovered bodies included Chitwan, Rasuwa, Nawalparasi East and Nawalparasi West.OVER 4,700 STILL MISSING
The scale of the missing-person crisis has remained equally severe. Authorities are still searching for 4,718 people, while identification of recovered victims remains a major challenge.
Nepalese officials have collected 3,345 DNA samples from bodies and relatives seeking missing family members.
More than 1,400 unidentified victims have also been listed on the Nepal Police website to assist families with identification.
Reuters had earlier reported that thousands remained unaccounted for weeks after the disaster, with difficult terrain and vast quantities of debris hampering searches.
The disaster also left large numbers of people displaced. According to the latest figures provided, 1,242 displaced people remain housed in temporary holding centres, while thousands of others have been rescued or are trying to rebuild their lives amid widespread destruction.
Around 2.2 million tonnes of debris were deposited across affected valleys, complicating recovery and reconstruction, according to Reuters.
Search and relief operations continue, with 7,975 police personnel deployed for rescue, relief distribution and body-management efforts.
The August disaster also badly affected hydropower projects and transport links, with rescuers facing particular difficulties reaching workers believed to be trapped in tunnels.
The new forecast therefore comes as rescue, identification and recovery operations from the previous catastrophe are still underway.
Authorities are expected to closely monitor rainfall, river levels and landslide-prone areas over the next three days, while residents and travellers have been urged to follow official warnings and reassess journeys as conditions develop.- EndsWith agency inputs
