Heavy monsoon rains trigger deadly floods and landslides in Nepal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Oct 2025 15:23

Heavy monsoon rains in Nepal have resulted in at least 47 deaths, widespread flooding, and landslides, cutting off roads and stranding hundreds.

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Emergency services evacuate a family in eastern Nepal after heavy rainfall caused flooding in the region, on October 5, 2025. (X/@thepagetody)

At least 47 people have died in Nepal following severe monsoon rains that caused widespread flash floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage, authorities reported on Sunday. The heavy rainfall, which began on Friday, has blocked roads, washed away bridges, and stranded hundreds of travelers.

In Ilam district, bordering India, 35 people were killed in separate landslides, according to Kalidas Dhauboji, spokesperson for Nepal’s Armed Police Force. Nine individuals remain missing after being swept away by floodwaters, while three others were killed by lightning strikes elsewhere in the country.

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“Rescue efforts for the missing persons are ongoing,” said Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

The extreme weather has also affected neighboring India, where at least seven people died in landslides in the Darjeeling region of West Bengal, local authorities reported. Police official Abhishek Roy said two additional people were still unaccounted for as recovery efforts continue.

Widespread disruptions

Several highways and local roads have been blocked or destroyed by landslides and floods, severely hampering movement. Kathmandu’s international airport reported that domestic flights were largely disrupted, though international flights continued to operate normally.

In southeastern Nepal, the Koshi River has risen above danger levels. Sunsari district governor Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said all 56 sluice gates of the Koshi Barrage had been opened to manage water flow, compared with the usual 10–12 during normal conditions. Vehicular traffic across the bridge has been banned as a precaution.

The capital region has also faced serious flooding, with rivers overflowing and inundating residential areas, temporarily isolating Kathmandu from the rest of the country by road.

Heavy rains are expected to continue until Monday, according to weather officials, prompting authorities to maintain maximum precautions and relief efforts. Landslides and flash floods are a recurring threat in Nepal’s mountainous terrain during the monsoon season, which typically runs from mid-June to mid-September, often claiming hundreds of lives annually.