WORLD
Over 170 killed due to heavy floods and landslides in Nepal
Islamabad, Hilal Ahmad, September 30, AZERTAC
In Nepal, over 170 people have been killed and dozens missing due to heavy rainfall which resulted in landslides and triggered floods across the country, officials said. The Incessant rainfall over the past few days has raised water levels in almost all the rivers of the Himalayan country to dangerous levels.
According to reports emerging from Kathmandu on Monday, the devastating weather condition has wreaked havoc in several provinces of Nepal, with capital Kathmandu and its surrounding areas bearing the brunt of the destruction.
As per the rescue and police officials, 102 people were killed in Bagmati Province while 52 people lost their lives in Kathmandu valley. 16 deaths were reported from Koshi Province, five people lost their lives in Madhesh Province.
According to Nepali officials, the heavy downpours from the last few days have left a large number of people injured and displaced. Over four thousand people have been rescued by the police, armed forces and rescue teams.
In addition to loss of lives, over 3300 residential houses have been destroyed or partially damaged while as many bridges have been washed away by the flood waters across the country, cutting off vital transportation routes.
Rescue operations across the most affected areas are going on as authorities are trying to locate the missing people. However, major roadblocks and continued rainfall are hindering efforts on the ground. The Nepali Home Ministry spokesperson has said that Provincial governments, district disaster management committees and local disaster management units are working together in response to the ongoing crises.
On the other hand, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement has said that Pakistan stands in solidarity with the government and people of Nepal in this moment of tragedy. “We are deeply saddened at the loss of life and devastation caused by the floods in Nepal” the statement added.