Nepal recovery hit as heavy rain raises fresh landslide and flood risks
Heavy rainfall across large parts of Nepal has created fresh difficulties for recovery work in areas hit by the August 26 Bhotekoshi floods, with authorities warning of renewed risks of landslides, flooding and debris flows.
Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of the country from Friday to Sunday, with extremely heavy rain possible in parts of Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority is monitoring river levels and disaster risks in coordination with weather and flood forecasting agencies.
Flash floods that began near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26 devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal. The Bhotekoshi River carried floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, and damaging hydropower projects. The disaster killed more than 1,450 people, while around 5,600 remain missing.
Authorities and weather experts have said the current rainfall is not a repeat of the August 26 floods, but it brings a new set of dangers, including landslides, flooding, debris flows and further disruption to roads and other infrastructure. The risk is especially high in places where roads, riverbanks and key infrastructure were already damaged in the earlier disaster.
The latest spell of rain has already triggered fresh landslides in at least two districts that were badly affected in August. In Dhading, police said landslides had occurred at seven points along the Prithvi Highway, completely blocking the road at Krishnabhir and Tigraang Khola. Traffic has been restricted to one lane at five other points, while continuing rain and repeated landslides have made debris clearance difficult. The highway had only recently reopened after being blocked for 18 days following the August flood. Sections at Krishnabhir were damaged in the floods, and a new track was opened there on September 17 to restore the road link.
In neighbouring Chitwan, the Prithvi Highway and the Narayangadh-Muglin road have also been closed because of landslides and the risk of further incidents amid persistent rain, The Kathmandu Post reported. The latest weather system has led authorities to impose travel restrictions on some major highways and take other precautionary steps. According to local media reports, Balendra Shah has urged people to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from vulnerable areas near rivers and streams during the period of heavy rainfall. Overall, the fresh rain has added pressure to Nepal's recovery efforts, with damaged areas again facing the threat of disruption and danger.
