Landslides and floods in Nepal

Photo: depositphotos

Roads in Nepal are blocked by floods, and even bridges have collapsed. Landslides are by far the biggest danger in Nepal, thanks to the omnipresent mountains. Ilam, which borders India to the east, is among the worst-hit districts.

Rescuers are still searching for nine missing people and the search will continue for several more days, according to a spokesman for Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The Home Ministry has decided to declare Monday and Tuesday as public holidays across the country, except for rescue workers and disaster response teams, as the government grapples with the crisis.

The government is not taking the weather forecast lightly and fears that the crisis could worsen in the coming days due to more rainfall. Meteorological authorities have issued a red alert in more than a dozen districts. All citizens living near rivers have been urged to evacuate immediately.

The warning applies to the capital Kathmandu and other population centers. The provinces of Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Madhes are expected to experience persistent rains until early next week.

Landslides have cut off most roads, including the Araniko Highway. Aviation authorities had to suspend domestic flights on Saturday due to low visibility. Interestingly, international flights are continuing, with a few interruptions.

Among the most flooded rivers in Nepal is the Koshi in the southeast of the country. The water level here has risen to more than double its normal volume. All 56 sluice gates on the dam on the river have been opened. Neighboring India, specifically the mountainous region of Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal, is also affected by the floods.

Source: Aljazeera, Editorial Weathersunshine.com