India Stands With Nepal During This Difficult Time, Says PM Modi On Monsoon Tragedy

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives and extensive damage caused by heavy rainfall in Nepal, assuring that India stands firmly with the country during this difficult period.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “The loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing. We stand with the people and Government of Nepal in this difficult time. As a friendly neighbour and first responder, India remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required.”

His message of condolence follows reports that at least 39 people have died in Nepal since Friday due to monsoon-related incidents.

Persistent rainfall has triggered landslides, flooding, and inundation in several parts of the country.

According to the Armed Police Force Headquarters in Kathmandu, the death toll from monsoon disasters has climbed to 39, with 36 fatalities recorded in Koshi Province and three in Madhesh, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Eleven people remain missing, and 13 have been injured. In Ilam district, 27 people have died in landslides, with five still unaccounted for.

Two people were killed and one injured in Udayapur due to flooding and landslides. One person was killed and three were injured by lightning in Khotang, while two others were injured in Bhojpur.

In Madhesh, three deaths were reported due to lightning strikes. One person died in Bara, four in Rasuwa, and one in Kathmandu after being swept away by rivers. Another individual was injured by lightning in Makwanpur.

Slight Weather Improvement but More Rain Forecast

Although heavy downpours continued from Friday, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reported a slight improvement by Sunday morning.

Rainfall had eased in most districts, with the heaviest recorded in parts of Lalitpur in the Kathmandu Valley.

The department stated, “Light rain is occurring in some areas of Kathmandu, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, and Ramechhap districts.”

However, it warned that hilly districts in eastern Koshi Province could experience further heavy rain on Sunday afternoon and night.

Despite the easing of rainfall in some regions, landslides have caused significant damage to highways, disrupting transportation networks.

The Nepalese government has maintained its ban on vehicular movement into and out of Kathmandu Valley.

The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division said major routes, including the Prithvi Highway (to western Nepal), BP Highway (to the southeast), and Araniko Highway (to the Chinese border) are fully blocked. The Pasang Lhamu, Koshi, and Siddhicharan highways have also been obstructed.

In light of the dangers posed by ongoing landslides and flooding, long-distance transport services from five of Nepal’s seven provinces, Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini, have been suspended, the division confirmed in a social media post.

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