Landslides, floods, and lightning strikes caused by incessant monsoon rains have resulted in widespread destruction of life and property across eastern Nepal. The outgoing monsoon has claimed at least 49 lives and left several others missing. Official reports indicate that the death toll is likely to increase as rescue teams have not been able to reach remote areas, which have lost access because of road blockages.
A low-pressure system from the Bay of Bengal entered the country late last week. Meteorologists were quick to issue warnings. The government also acted on those warnings, deploying flood and landslide rescue crews, relocating residents of areas prone to disasters, and closing major highways. In a similar downpour in September last year, at least 217 people die,d including in Kathmandu and surrounding areas.
