International Desk, 2nd October: The catastrophic floods and landslides that have plagued Nepal have claimed at least 241 lives, with over 4,300 individuals rescued in ongoing efforts to mitigate the disaster’s effects. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli made these announcements during a press conference at Singha Durbar on October 1, where he acknowledged the government’s delay in initiating search and rescue operations and called for public support in relief efforts.
The Prime Minister confirmed that 4,331 people have been rescued since the disaster began, expressing his commitment to address any shortcomings in the response operations. Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal disclosed that the country has incurred losses estimated at approximately Rs 17 billion due to the flooding.
In the last two days alone, nearly 900 individuals, including foreign trekkers, have been rescued by helicopter from flood-affected areas, according to Home Ministry spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari. Nepal Army helicopters successfully rescued 683 people over the weekend, with 425 rescues on Sunday and 258 on Monday. “The rescue efforts are ongoing,” Tiwari stated.
In addition to the military’s response, private helicopter operators have been engaged in evacuating stranded foreigners, particularly in mountainous regions. While exact numbers remain unclear, it is estimated that around 200 foreign trekkers and a few Nepalis have been airlifted in recent days.
The disastrous conditions, which began late last week, wreaked havoc across eastern and central Nepal, leading to widespread destruction and displacing thousands. The Kathmandu Valley has been particularly hard-hit, with the death toll exceeding 50 in this region alone.
The relentless rains that began Thursday and persisted through Saturday have exacerbated the situation, inundating large areas and causing infrastructure failures. More than 20,000 security personnel, including members of the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police, have been mobilized to assist with search, rescue, and distribution of relief materials.
Those injured in the disaster are receiving medical attention at various health facilities, and immediate relief supplies are being distributed to affected communities.
Experts indicate that unplanned construction and inadequate drainage systems have significantly increased the vulnerability of many areas to flooding, particularly in regions built on floodplains.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster, the situation remains fluid. Thousands of passengers have been stranded due to road disruptions, as highways and bridges have been buried or swept away, further complicating the rescue and relief efforts. Improved weather conditions since Sunday in Kathmandu offer a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered population, but the road to recovery remains long and challenging.
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