Kathmandu, September 27
Relentless rain has disrupted daily life across the country, halting flights and highways.
It has also inundated Kathmandu's riverbanks. Following a heavy downpour on Friday, floodwaters entered Balkhu and other settlements along the Bagmati River's banks.
The vegetable and fruit market in Balkhu has also been swamped. Flood entry into the market forced traders to transport their fruits and vegetables amid rain. However, because the market is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, it gets frequently flooded during heavy rains.
The Kathmandu District Administration Office issued a statement on Friday afternoon, stating that the water level in the valley's rivers had crossed the danger mark. According to the statement, the water levels in the rivers may rise further.
It is expected that the rain will stop in the valley by Saturday evening.
Several locations in Kathmandu Valley have been inundated, including Imadol, Baudha, Kapan, and Banasthali. After the water level of various rivers exceeded the danger mark in several locations, including the Khokana area, Gaurighat, Balkhukhola, Bishnumati, and others, police began patrolling to keep people away from riverbanks.
Meanwhile, most parts of the country, including Kathmandu Valley today, have remained completely cloudy.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light to moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning is occurring throughout the country as a result of active monsoon winds.
This afternoon, the sky will be mostly cloudy throughout the country. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is expected in many areas of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces.
Similarly, heavy rainfall is expected in parts of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, as well as Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. There is a chance of heavy rain in one or two places in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces, as well as storms in some areas of Tarai.
Additionally, the Department of Water and Meteorology reports that it has been raining continuously in eastern Nepal for 30 hours as of Friday afternoon. The rains have had an impact on people's lives all over the country. Officials have warned that natural disasters may occur as a result of the ongoing rains.
Flights were unable to operate in mountainous areas on Friday, and various highways throughout the country were closed due to floods and landslides.
Flights at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) remained disrupted today due to inclement weather. According to the TIA office, flights to both domestic and international destinations were affected.
Domestic flights to Janakpur, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadhi are currently operational, according to TIA spokesperson Rinji Sherpa. Today's flights to Bhadrapur, Simara, Bharatpur, Pokhara, and Surkhet were cancelled.
Two planes, including Indigo Airlines en route to Kathmandu from New Delhi, India and Thai Air from Bangkok, Thailand, were held for approximately an hour in preparation for international flights. It resulted in some international flights being delayed. However, the flights are now on a regular schedule.
Mud deposition has, on the other hand, disrupted the Naubise-Nagdhunga road section of the Tribhuvan highway. Following incessant rain, the road was blocked by a mudflow from above the road near the tunnel way in Dhunibesi Municipality-9, causing traffic to come to a standstill. All types of vehicles, including passenger buses departing Kathmandu for various destinations, were stranded.
The Traffic Police Office in Gajuri stated that it has been difficult to clear the mud that has accumulated on the road due to the continuous rain.
On Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority issued a notice requesting that people avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary. The authority has requested that no night buses be run in hilly and hilly districts on Friday and Saturday.
According to the Nepal Police, while the country's major highways are operational, the BP highway, one of the main routes leading east from Kathmandu, has been closed since Friday morning.
According to the police, the highway was blocked due to landslides in Kavre's Roshi Rural Municipality. Similarly, the highway connecting Hetauda and Pharping is closed due to landslides in Makwanpur's Phakhel. According to traffic police, the Kanti Highway connecting Hetauda and Lalitpur is also blocked due to landslides in Thingan, Makwanpur.
Traffic on the East-West Highway in Nawalpur has been hampered. However, the police stated that the road was not blocked.
Manpower has been made available at the location. According to Nepal Police, equipment such as dozers is also on standby to clear the highway if it becomes blocked.
Despite the fact that landslides have occurred in several locations, no human casualties have been reported so far.
According to Ujjwal Upadhyay, a Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Expert, monsoon clouds are now affecting the entire country.
"Friday and Saturday, it will rain across the country, except for the Sudurpaschim region; most areas of the country are expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall today and tomorrow," he said.
"There is a high risk of flooding, landslides, and inundation, so riverbanks and landslide-prone areas should be prioritised. It is advisable not to travel on hilly highways today and tomorrow. The weather is expected to clear completely by Sunday morning."