Death toll rises as floodwaters recede

Kathmandu, August 14

At least 87 persons have lost their lives and 45 have gone missing in floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rain in several parts of the country since Friday. Though there was little rain today, thousands of displaced people continued to suffer amidst delay in rescue and relief distribution in the affected areas.

As per the regional police office of Biratnagar, floods have claimed 39 lives and 26 persons have gone missing in the eastern region. Jhapa has witnessed 10 flood-related deaths, Morang 14, Sunsari nine, Panchthar four, Saptari two and Ilam one. One person has been missing in Panchthar and Saptari each, 13 in Jhapa, seven in Sunsari and four in Morang.

According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs today, 30 persons have lost their lives in the central region and 14 have gone missing in incidents of floods and landslides. In Rautahat, death toll due to floods and landslides is nine, while four persons have been reported missing in Sarlahi, Sindhuli and Bara each. While three lives have been lost to floods in Chitwan and Makawanpur each, one death was reported from Dhanusha and Mahottari each. Seven persons, meanwhile, have gone missing in Makawanpur, three in Rautahat, and one each in Bara, Dhanusha and Sarlahi.

In the mid-western region, 15 lives have been lost to floods and landslides since Friday night. Three persons are said to be missing in the region, adds the MoHA statement.

According to the statement, western and far-western regions have witnessed the least damage. While in the western region, one person has died each in Palpa and Kapilvastu, one person has gone missing in Nawalparasi. In the far-west region, one death has been reported from Kailali.

As many as 27 districts have been affected by the recent spell of floods and landslides. Of them, districts in the mid-Tarai and the eastern region are the worst affected.

 

Â