Anwesha Dash, Pune
Nepal wrecked by landslides and flash floods amidst heavy rains since the last few days with around 129 people dead as of yet and more than 60 reported to be missing. Police expect the death toll to rise even further.
Heavy downpour has been witnessed in the country since the last few days. The weather experts say this was caused due to a low-pressure system sustained over the Bay of Bengal. Which expanded from India and reached its neighbouring country Nepal. As a result of this rivers across the country swelled up. The Bagmati river which flows through the capital city of Kathmandu, crossed its danger mark by 2.2 metres.
Consequently, river banks around the various cities of Nepal burst prompting flash floods across the country. Since the country is also located on the foothills of the Himalayas, massive landslides have also occurred as a result of the rains. In total 200 incidents of landslides and floods have been reported in the country since the rains started.
After the rains ebbed a little in the morning rescue operations were started all across the country. First 14 bodies were recovered from a bus that was enroute to Kathmandu. The bus was overturned and buried as a result of the landslides. Many deaths, injuries and damages have also been reported around the rural regions of Nepal.
Schools, colleges and some offices have been shut in the country since the rains started. Authorities claim that many older educational institutions have sustained grievous damages and will need immediate repair before reopening. Many houses around the country are either in very dilapidated conditions or completely wiped away since the rain started. As per reports more than 4 lakhs households have been affected by these few days of heavy rains in the country.
Climate scientists claim that fast and unplanned development and infrastructure plans pose an even bigger risk of climate change in Nepal. As per experts poor drainage system, rapid urbanisation with construction on floodplains, and negligible water retention processes have also played a significant part in the devastation brought on by the rains.