170 lives have been lost to monsoon-related disasters since the onset of monsoon on 10th June, 2024. The relentless rains have triggered a series of natural disasters, including landslides, floods, and lightning strikes, causing widespread devastation across the country.

An additional 30 fatalities have been reported due to incidents such as fire, snakebites, high-altitude sickness, and animal assaults, bringing the total death toll owing to natural disasters over 200. The disasters have also left 48 people missing and 195 injured, with Bagmati and Gandaki provinces bearing the brunt of the calamities, each reporting 58 casualties. The NDRRMA spokesperson, Dr. Dijan Bhattarai, highlighted the grim reality faced by the country, with significant losses reported across multiple provinces.

In the 60 days since the onset of monsoon, 3,647 families have been affected across 1,333 incidents. Koshi Province has witnessed the highest number of affected families at 1,212, with 405 incidents reported. Madhesh Province follows with 513 affected families, Bagmati with 471, Gandaki with 437, Lumbini with 326, Karnali with 240, and Sudurpaschim with 448.

The monsoon’s impact this year has been notably severe, with human casualties surpassing those of the previous year, which recorded 72 deaths on mid-August, 2023. Anil Pokhrel, CEO of the NDRRMA, stated that while preparedness, rescue, search, and information flow systems for disaster management have been enhanced, the scale of the disasters has led to an increase in casualties.

On July 27, a 15-year-old girl was injured when continuous rain destroyed her house in Surkhet. A few days later, on July 29, three people died, two went missing, and two were injured in a landslide in Gorkha. The following day, a 20-year-old woman was injured by lightning in Sankhuwasabha. On July 31, a flood in Bhojpur left two people missing and one injured, while a 45-year-old man died in Kathmandu due to flooding.

In early August, a series of deadly incidents unfolded. On August 1, a 67-year-old man in Dang and a 45-year-old man in Kathmandu lost their lives to floods. On August 2, a 65-year-old man was struck by lightning in Dhankuta, while an 84-year-old man was injured by strong winds and rain in Kailali. The devastation continued on August 5, when a 42-year-old man in Darchula went missing after being swept away by a flood while crossing a stream.

On August 6, a landslide in Dhading claimed the life of a 72-year-old man and injured nine others. The following day, six people died, four went missing, and ten were injured in Baglung due to a landslide. On August 9, a landslide in Baglung killed two children aged 7 and 10. August 12 saw another wave of casualties, with one person dying in a flood while crossing a stream, and multiple injuries reported across various districts due to landslides and lightning strikes.

On August 16, an avalanche in Thame village, Solukhumbu district, triggered a massive flood and landslide. The disaster swept away at least one person, twelve houses, and a school building. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dwarika Prasad Ghimire, the flood and landslide caused extensive damage, with several houses remaining at serious risk due to ongoing erosion of the riverbank. While six people were rescued by a Nepalese Army team, the search for missing persons continues.

Authorities in Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, and Khotang have urged residents living near the Dudhkoshi River to remain vigilant, as there is a heightened risk of further floods and landslides. The Department of Water and Meteorology has also issued warnings, advising people to take necessary precautions until the monsoon subsides.

As the monsoon season continues, the death toll and destruction in Nepal are expected to rise, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management and mitigation strategies to safeguard vulnerable communities.