Days of heavy rainfall in Nepal have led to widespread flooding and landslides across the country, claiming the lives of 192 people and causing significant destruction.
On Monday, September 30, search and rescue teams in the capital, Kathmandu, combed through damaged homes as floodwaters began to recede.
Images from the capital show large parts of southern Kathmandu and nearby areas submerged or coated in thick mud, with major rivers overflowing dangerously due to the relentless rains.
The floods and landslides have destroyed hundreds of homes, severed highways, and downed power lines, just months after Nepal endured deadly record rainfall and flash flooding linked to the climate crisis.
“Our priority is search and rescue, including helping those stranded on highways,” said Home Ministry spokesman Rishi Ram Tiwari. “192 people have been reported dead, and 31 more are missing,” he added.
At least 35 victims were buried alive when a landslide engulfed vehicles on a highway south of Kathmandu, according to Nepal Police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki.
Rescue teams, wearing knee-high rubber boots, are using shovels to clear mud from the worst-hit riverside neighborhoods around Kathmandu.
Nepal’s army has rescued more than 4,000 people using helicopters, motorboats, and rafts to reach stranded families. Bulldozers are working to clear nearly two dozen blocked sections of major highways leading into the capital, which have been obstructed by debris.
Experts report that climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of monsoon rains.
So far this year, more than 300 people have died in rain-related disasters across Nepal.