At least 193 people dead as flooding and landslides hit Nepal

The Bagmati River is seen flooded due to heavy rains in Kathmandu, Nepal. Credit: AP

At least 193 people have died and dozens are missing in Nepal after heavy rain brought on severe flooding and landslides over the weekend.

A police statement said there were 31 people who were still reported missing and 96 people were injured across the Himalayan nation.

The weather in Nepal improved slightly on Sunday, kickstarting rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts.

Rescue workers recovered 14 bodies overnight from two buses headed to Kathmandu that were buried in a landslide on a highway near the capital city.

At least one other bus and other vehicles were still buried at the same spot, and rescue workers were digging through rocks and mud trying to find people.

Credit: AP

Kathmandu remained cut off Sunday as the main highways out of the city were blocked by landslides.

Three highways, including the key Prithvi highway that connects Kathmandu to the rest of the country, have been blocked by landslides.

People watch the turbulent waters of Bagmati River from a bridge in Nepal on September 28, 2024. Credit: AP

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Residents in the southern part of Kathmandu, which was inundated by water, were cleaning up their houses as water levels began to recede.

At least 34 people were killed in Kathmandu, which was the hardest hit by Saturday’s flooding.

Police officers and soldiers were assisting with rescue efforts, while heavy equipment was used to clear the landslides from the roads.

The government announced on Sunday it was closing schools and colleges across Nepal for the next three days.

A tin shed lies partially submerged at the edge of the Bagmati River. Credit: AP

The heavy rains, which started on Friday, slowed on Saturday night, but continued through the weekend.

Last week, the government issued flood warnings across the Himalayan nation warning of massive rainfall. Buses were banned from traveling at night on highways and people were discouraged from driving cars.

The monsoon season begins in June and usually ends by mid-September.

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