Monsoon disaster death toll reaches 170 with 42 missing

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 30: The latest round of monsoon-induced disasters claimed 170 lives while over 42 others are reported missing across the country.

Triggered by heavy and continuous rains for two days in several parts of the country and the floods, landslides and inundations claimed the lives of 170 individuals as of Sunday night, according to Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Near Nagdhunga at Jhyaplekhola in Dhading district, one of the main entry points to Kathmandu, 35 bodies were found buried along with the vehicles they were in. 

A total of 31 people have died in Kavre district. In Lalitpur, 23 people have lost their lives, according to Nepal Police Headquarters. 

The Ministry has said that of the total deceased, 68 have died in the Kathmandu Valley, and 59 in other districts of Bagmati Province, 19 in Koshi Province, and two in Madhes Province.

Additionally, 42 individuals have still been missing, and 111 have been injured due to these disasters. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that security personnel have successfully rescued 3,661 persons stuck in different situations across the country with the help of helicopter, and manual force.  

Since Sunday morning, 193 individuals at risk from floods, landslides, and other natural hazards in various locations of Kavrepalanchok have been rescued by the Nepali Army using helicopters, according to Joint Secretary and Spokesperson for the Ministry Rishiram Tiwari.  

The Nepali Army has been conducting aerial rescue operations for two days to evacuate citizens in high-risk areas. 

Tiwari said that all available mechanisms have been deployed to restore highways obstructed by the disaster. 

Security personnel are actively involved in rescuing affected citizens, providing relief, and transporting injured people to hospitals for treatment, he said. 

Meanwhile, Nepali Army Spokesperson and Brigadier General Gaurav KC said that the three NA helicopters including MI-17 have been used for the rescue and relief distribution in Mangaltar of Kavrepalanchok, Dolakha and Sindhupalchok district. It has said that except MI-17, the Headquarters has used Augusta and Ecureuil helicopters.