Nepal: Floods and Landslides - Jun 2024

Flood is the most severe of the hazards observed in Nepal in terms of physical and socioeconomic losses and destruction. Koshi, Karnali, and Narayani are the major river systems in Nepal, and floods from these large perennial river systems generally impact several districts in the Southern Terai plains. Moreover, rivers such as West Rapti, and Babai Rivers, which originate in the Mahabharat range, do more damage in the Terai floodplains because they frequently generate flash floods during the monsoon. Moreover, the Terai's vulnerable topography, combined with its dependency on agriculture, exacerbates the severity of flood hazards compared to other regions. (IFRC, 12 Jun 2024)

The targeted flood-prone areas are the Terai districts along the flood plains of Karnali, Babai and West Rapti rivers, namely Banke, Bardiya and Kailali, frequently affected due to flooding in the monsoon period. People living along these rivers especially low-lying areas, informal settlements, fragile houses, and those who have low-income status and a number of dependent family members to care for, are highly vulnerable to flooding; especially during the monsoon (June to September). (IFRC, 12 Jun 2024)

The monsoon season is impacting several parts of Nepal, causing floods, triggering landslides and resulting in casualties and damage. According to the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal, as of 8 July, 21 people have died since the beginning of the month - 12 due to landslides and nine others to floods - three people are still missing, 29 have been injured and 541 families have been affected across several districts of the country. (ECHO, 8 Jul 2024)

Heavy rainfall has been affecting central Nepal (particularly the Gandaki province and the neighbouring Bagmati province over the last 24 hours, triggering huge landslides that have resulted in casualties and damage. Media report, as of 12 July, 11 fatalities across the Kaski district (Gandaki province), one fatality and 65 persons still missing in the Chitwan district (Bagmati province) due to different landslide events. Over the next 96 hours, very heavy rainfall is still forecast over most of Nepal. (ECHO, 12 Jul 2024)

In the past few days, a series of landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rainfall have occurred in parts of Nepal and resulted in casualties and damage. In particular, in Chitwan District, south-central Nepal, a major landslide swept away two passenger buses, leading to eight fatalities and 54 still missing people as reported by the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal (DRR) and media. According to the DRR portal, since 10 July, a total of 25 people died and 13 others have been injured in five different landslide events across the districts of Baglung, Chitawan, Kaski, and Myagdi. (ECHO, 17 Jul 2024)

With the onset of monsoon rainfall in various parts of Nepal, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 143 people died and 47 people went missing as of data dated 30th July 2024 due to disasters such as floods and landslides in various places. 22 people died in Koshi province, 6 people died in Madhesh province, 31 people died in Bagmati province due to floods and landslides. According to the ministry, 42 people died in Gandaki province, 24 people in Lumbini, 8 people in Karnali and 10 people in Sudurpaschim province. [...] During the period, more than 3,779 households were displaced from their homes by the disaster. (HRRP, 31 Jul 2024 )

A glacial lake outburst occurred in the Koshi province (the easternmost province of Nepal) on 16 August, causing flash floods and mudslides that resulted in displacement and damage. Media report, as of 19 August, 135 displaced people, 93 rescued people, 20 destroyed houses, one destroyed school and one destroyed health facility across the area of the Thame village (Solukhumbu district, Koshi province). (ECHO, 19 Aug 2024)