Key Takeaways:

• 27 people died and four remain missing in 542 disaster incidents recorded between Sept. 24 and 27
• Landslides accounted for 304 incidents and 20 deaths, while floods caused four deaths
• 227 houses were destroyed and 31 bridges damaged by floods and landslides
• Authorities issued flood warning messages to nearly one million people and relocated around 2,000 residents to safer areas

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 29 At least 27 people have died, and four others remain missing in 542 disaster incidents triggered by heavy rainfall across Nepal between September 24 and 27, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). The authority said the disasters injured eight people, affected 1,082 families and killed 114 livestock during the four-day period. Of the recorded incidents, 304 were landslides, which claimed 20 lives, left four people missing and injured seven others. Floods accounted for 87 incidents and four deaths, while 151 other rain-related incidents killed three people and injured one. Heavy rain also caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure. The NDRRMA reported that 227 houses were completely destroyed, while 142 houses sustained partial damage. Floods and landslides also damaged 31 bridges across the country. Extremely heavy rainfall recorded Meteorological data showed that more than 100 millimetres of rainfall was recorded at 186 monitoring stations during the period. Dedhgaun of Nawalparasi East recorded the highest rainfall at 544.2 mm, followed by Panchase in Kaski (500.2 mm) and Atraulitaar in Tanahun (472 mm). The NDRRMA attributed the intense rainfall to a low-pressure system that developed over the Bay of Bengal. Nearly one million people receive warnings Ahead of the weather event, the authority intensified preparedness and emergency response measures. According to the NDRRMA, its situation room continuously monitored weather and disaster risks for 76 hours and coordinated with relevant agencies. Authorities sent flood-warning SMS alerts to more than 980,000 people through telecom networks. In addition, more than 5,000 responders and around 9,000 tourists received weather and disaster-risk updates. The authority also extended flood forecasting for major rivers from three days to five days and increased flash-flood forecasting capacity for smaller rivers and streams from 24 hours to 48 hours. Around 2,000 people evacuated NDRRMA spokesperson Shanti Mahat said approximately 2,000 people living in high-risk areas were relocated to safer locations. People stranded by floods and landslides in districts including Jajarkot, Myagdi and Baglung were rescued by helicopter. Security agencies including Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and the Nepali Army were mobilised for search, rescue and relief operations. On September 27 alone, 78 people from Pauddhar in Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 of Myagdi were airlifted to safety. Another four people stranded on an island in the Bheri River in Jajarkot were also rescued by helicopter. Rivers blocked by landslides The heavy rain also triggered major landslides that temporarily obstructed river systems. In Manang, landslides on September 27 disrupted the flow of the Marsyangdi River, while another landslide blocked the Kaligandaki River in Thasang Rural Municipality-3 of Mustang. The NDRRMA alerted local governments and security agencies in downstream areas to remain on high alert and evacuate vulnerable settlements if necessary. The authority said water levels in major rivers, including the Narayani, began to recede from Sept. 28, indicating that the overall flood situation is gradually moving toward normal, although authorities continue to monitor conditions closely.