At least 8 dead, 28 missing in landslides, floods in Nepal
Kathmandu, Jun 19 (EFE).- At least eight people have died and 28 others gone missing in floods and landslides across eastern Nepal over the past two days, as the monsoon hit the Himalayan nation, officials said.
The heavy downpour started on Saturday and continued on Sunday causing significant destruction to the region.
Superintendent of Police Rishi Ram Kandel of the Koshi province told EFE that three hill districts – Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha and Panchthar – have been severely affected, and the death toll from the landslides and floods could rise.
“The search and rescue efforts are on as the water level in the rivers has started to recede,” said Kandel.
In addition to the human losses, the floods and landslides washed away several bridges and damaged hydropower plants.
Every year, monsoon rains cause floods and landslides that displace thousands of people across Nepal.
More than 90 percent of landslides in Nepal occur during the monsoon between June and September.
This year, the monsoon started on June 14.
More than 6,000 rivers and rivulets are estimated to flow through Nepal, which during the monsoon season, cause flooding and damage villages, and crop lands, livestock and people in the region.
On average, Nepal faces over 500 disaster-related events annually, ranging from small to large scale, according to the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction portal. EFE
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