During the recent heavy downpour in Nepal, floods and landslides occurred impacting 112 people with confirmed deaths and 64 people have been reported missing by Sunday. Since Friday, the country has continued to receive torrential rains which have caused many areas to be flooded and the datum on water level in rivers to rise, caused flash floods. Most notably, the Bagmati River has flooded crossing the dangerous level and even overflowing its banks. Eight key thoroughfares have been closed down as a result of landslides, which complicates rescue and relief operations.
Nepal meteorological department confirmed that of this latest flood is the highest rainfall has ever been recorded at the Kathmandu since 1970s. For the 24 hours prior to Saturday morning, Kathmandu accumulated 240mm of precipitation, while some districts had as much as 322mm. Policespokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki says that several more people are likely to die as search operationsongo because scores of people are still missing.
Recently as per the records available in the Sunday morning around three thousand three hundred people were airlifted from the devastated area by the rescue groups. More than 3000 security forces are participating in the operations to rescue people stuck at the flood with helicopters, rafts, and motorboats. Most domestic flights to and from the Kathmandu have resumed on Sunday, when the airports were closed since Friday leaving as many as 149 flights including 43 international cancelled due to hazardous situation.
People are being encouraged to remain vigilant and leave buildings within threat areas as more rain is expected to fall in the coming days. Related to this the government is trying to mobilize more resource for continued rescue operations as well as relief to those who were affected by the floods. This continues to be an emergency, and the response teams will continue to identify needs to protect and promote the wellbeing of all the people affected by this disaster.
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