Nepal Mountain Slope Collapses Into River as Heavy Rain Sweeps Himalayas - Tempo.co English
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Heavy rainfall has triggered a series of landslides, floods and avalanches across Nepal, with debris briefly blocking rivers and a mountain slope collapsing into the Kali Gandaki River as authorities warn communities in vulnerable areas to remain alert.
As reported by Telegraph, In Mustang district, a mountain slope collapsed into the Kali Gandaki River near Lete village on Sunday, sending trees and structures into the water. Video footage showed the scale of the landslide as the debris plunged into the river.
A separate major landslide struck Manang district the same day, sending debris into the Marsyangdi River and briefly blocking part of its flow. Officials said the blockage lasted several hours before the river returned to normal, with no major damage reported.
Landslides also temporarily blocked rivers in Palpa and other parts of northern and western Nepal, although the rivers later cleared.
The incidents came after days of heavy rain across Nepal's mountainous districts. More than 20 people have been killed in floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents across the country in recent days, according to officials cited by local media.
Authorities have urged residents in downstream areas and other locations prone to flooding and landslides to remain vigilant as rainfall continues.
Heavy snowfall also triggered an avalanche at the base camp of Mount Himlung, a 23,380-foot peak in north-central Nepal, on Sunday.
Nepali guides and support staff were at the camp when their tents were buried under snow. An eight-member rescue team from the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association traveled from Kathmandu by helicopter.
Rescuers saved 10 people and recovered four bodies. Twelve others remained missing and were presumed dead, according to the rescue team.
The deceased were identified as Chhebi Bhote, Pasang Bhote, Birendra Gurung and Ghan Shyam Rai, all Nepali nationals.
The rescue operation was abandoned on Monday because of worsening weather.
“The avalanche was enormous,” a rescue spokesman said, adding that rescuers had not expected an avalanche of that scale at the Himlung base camp.
More than two dozen climbers from two expedition companies had arrived earlier in the month to prepare routes and fix ropes ahead of the autumn climbing season. At least eight members of one expedition team were reported missing.
According to India Today, the latest disasters have struck as Nepal continues to recover from devastating flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border last month.
The August 26 floods sent water from the Bhotekoshi River downstream, destroying homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects. Nepal's authorities reported at least 1,453 deaths and thousands of people missing after the disaster.
The recent heavy rains have added to the country's recovery challenges, with landslides and swollen rivers affecting several districts.
In Baglung, a 55-year-old man died after falling from a cliff while watching the swollen Kali Gandaki River and its erosion. In Palpa, five people were killed on Saturday when a landslide buried a house.
Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli travelers remained stranded in Samagaun in Nepal's Manaslu region after rockslides, blocked roads and damaged bridges disrupted access. The group has called for evacuation amid concerns that weather conditions could worsen.
Authorities continue to monitor rivers and landslide-prone areas and have urged residents and travelers to take precautions as heavy rain persists across the Himalayan nation.
