Nepal Faces Severe Floods and Landslides, Highlighting Disaster Response Challenges

Biraj Rai, Teacher
29 September 2024, Nisarga Batika School

Copyright Gopen Rai/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.

Over the weekend, Nepal was struck by some of the worst floods seen in years. Heavy monsoon rains, which began Thursday night, 26 September, and continued through Saturday, 28 September, caused widespread destruction across the country, including in the capital, Kathmandu. Officials report that over 200 people have died, and many more are missing. Roads and bridges have been washed away, cutting off major routes, and thousands of travellers remain stranded.

In Kathmandu, heavy rainfall caused the Bagmati River to rise dangerously, leading to flash floods that submerged entire neighbourhoods. The flooding was so severe that many houses, bridges, and roads were destroyed. Some victims were travelling in buses when surging waters swept them away. In total, more than 4,000 people had been rescued so far, with teams using helicopters, motorboats, and even ziplines to reach those stranded or buried in mud.

The flooded Bagmati River in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, on Saturday.Credit...Niranjan Shrestha/Associated Press

The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police worked hard to save people, but their rescue equipment was limited. Dijan Bhattarai, a government official from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, explained that rescue teams were using basic tools like rubber boats, ropes, and shovels. Experts said that Nepal’s lack of modern equipment and proper preparation makes rescuing people during emergencies even harder.

The disaster had shown that Nepal’s response system is not well-prepared. While security personnel are trained, they often lack the confidence to deal with risky situations because they don’t have the right safety gear.

Amod Mani Dixit, a natural disaster expert, said, "The government doesn’t give enough attention to emergency response, even though Nepal is prone to disasters like floods and landslides. Our system only responds after a disaster strikes.” He noted that the country needs more resources and coordination.

Rescuers in Kathmandu taking residents to safety from the overflowing Bagmati River on Saturday.Credit...Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters

Experts also blamed climate change for making such disasters worse. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) highlighted that climate change is causing more frequent and intense rainstorms, leading to deadly flooding. Additionally, unplanned construction and poor drainage systems in flood-prone areas had worsened the impact. Arun Bhakta Shrestha from ICIMOD emphasised that Kathmandu needs better planning and protection of flood plains and wetlands to reduce future risks.

Many people are now without power or clean drinking water, and the main roads remain blocked. Schools in the capital have been closed for some time, and communities are struggling. While some officials claim that restricting travel during the rain saved lives, others argue that the government should have enforced the rules more strictly.

Overall, the weekend’s disaster has highlighted the urgent need for Nepal to improve its disaster preparedness and response to keep its citizens safe.


Citation:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/30/more-than-200-dead-in-nepal-floods-as-parts-of-kathmandu-left-under-water
https://www.kathmandupost.com/national/2024/09/30/floods-landslides-once-again-expose-nepal-s-poor-disaster-response-mechanism


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