Nepal Faces Disaster As Landslides & Floods Claim 236 Lives

Nepal is grappling with a humanitarian crisis following catastrophic landslides and floods that have claimed 236 lives as of Thursday evening.

Authorities continue to face challenges in restoring vital highways damaged by the deluge, with at least 19 individuals reported missing and 173 others injured, according to the Nepal Police.

The devastation, triggered by relentless monsoon rains on 27 & 28 September, has left 34 highways blocked, severely disrupting transportation across the country.

As of today, 5 of these roads remain inaccessible, creating significant logistical hurdles for rescue and recovery efforts, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport reported.

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The financial toll of the disaster is staggering, with estimates indicating that the damage to properties exceeds 17 billion Nepali rupees (approximately $127 million).

The ministry estimates that reopening obstructed highways temporarily will require a minimum of 3 billion Nepali rupees ($22.4 million).

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressed the media earlier, confirming that over 4,000 victims have been rescued thus far and pledged that search and rescue operations would persist until Friday.

Acknowledging the government’s misjudgment in anticipating the severity of the disaster, Oli expressed concern over the widespread destruction caused by the relentless rainfall.

The situation remains critical as rescue teams work tirelessly to locate the missing and restore access to affected areas, highlighting the urgent need for support and resources to aid in the recovery process.

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