Heavy rains created flash floods in Nepal and two Indian states, Uttarakhand and Kerala, killing more than 180 people. Landslides hurled rocks into homes, submerging or crushing them.
At least 88 people killed in Nepal and 55 in Uttarakhand, including five members of one family, while scores more are still missing in both countries.
Rains in Kerala, India’s southernmost state, also created disastrous floods, killing 42 people.
A family of six from Nepal, including three children, were among the victims when their home was buried by a rapid shower of mud and debris. Panchthar district in east Nepal, as well as Ilam and Doti in west Nepal, are the worst-affected districts.
Reuters reported that rescuers were struggling to reach 60 people who had been stuck for two days in the village of Seti in west Nepal. The Nepalese government is providing $1,700 (£1,220) to each flood victim’s family. Schools in Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state, have been closed, and religious and tourist activities have been halted. The Ganges River breached its banks at Rishikesh, wreaking havoc on the renowned Nainital region.
Uttarakhand, which typically receives up to 30.5mm (1.2in) of rain in October, received 328mm in just 24 hours this week. However, the Indian Meteorological Department reports that the rain has subsided.
Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, offered a compensation package worth 400,000 rupees (£3,800; $5,300) for the families of those who died, as well as 190,000 rupees for those whose homes were devastated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter: “I am anguished by the loss of lives due to heavy rainfall in parts of Uttarakhand. May the injured recover soon.”
While experts have linked the severe rains to the climate issue, they have also pointed to hydro-power projects in the Himalayan highlands, as well as excessive and frequently unregulated development on steep slopes, which harm the region’s fragile environment.
Higher temperatures have also resulted in less snow in the Himalayas, which, when combined with strong rainfall, is forcing massive quantities of water downstream, causing flash floods, according to experts. Kerala, India’s southernmost coastal state, has also been experiencing heavy rain since Friday.
Thousands of people have been evacuated, and over 1,600 homes have been burned or damaged.
Source: BBC News