Kathmandu: The eastern region of Nepal has been relentlessly pounded by heavy rains, resulting in flash floods and landslides that have caused one fatality and left at least 25 individuals missing, according to officials on Sunday. This incident marks the first reported fatality since the commencement of the annual monsoon season last week.
In the Sankhuwasabha district, located in eastern Nepal, heavy downpours caused the Hewa River to overflow, leading to the disappearance of 16 workers who were involved in a hydroelectric project under construction. Bimal Paudel, a government official, reported that one body has been recovered so far while authorities continue their search for the missing labourers.
The neighbouring Taplejung and Panchthar districts, which share a border with India in the east, have also experienced flash floods and landslides, resulting in the disappearance of nine individuals. Gaurav Dhakal, an official from Panchthar district, mentioned that overnight rains have damaged two bridges along the Mechi highway, severing road access to the remote Taplejung district, where four individuals are currently missing.
Nepal heavily relies on the annual monsoon rains, which typically begin in mid-June and persist until September, to nourish its crops. However, these rains often bring calamitous consequences, causing floods that inundate villages, destroy crops, and inflict damage upon vital infrastructure in the predominantly mountainous nation nestled between China and India. Each year, hundreds of lives are lost or go missing due to these destructive weather events.
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