101 dead in Nepal floods after relentless monsoon rains
Nepal has shut schools for three days after landslides and floods triggered by two days of heavy rain across the Himalayan nation killed 101, with 67 missing, officials said on Sunday.
The torrential rains have caused widespread disruption in the Kathmandu valley, where 37 deaths were reported. This region, home to around 4 million residents, includes Nepal's capital city.
Monsoon rains, which occur from June to September, frequently cause deadly floods and landslides across South Asia. However, experts warn that climate change is exacerbating the intensity and frequency of these disasters.
Since Friday, vast areas of eastern and central Nepal have been submerged, with flash floods affecting multiple rivers and causing significant damage to major highways across the country.
Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki informed AFP that the number of fatalities had risen to 101, with 64 individuals still missing. He expressed concern that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue in the affected regions.
The country's meteorological department reported that the Kathmandu valley experienced 240 millimeters (9.4 inches) of rainfall in just 24 hours, the highest recorded since 1970. Landslides have blocked several highways connecting the capital to the rest of the country, leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.
More than 260 people have died in Nepal in rain-related disasters this year.
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