KATHMANDU — At least 66 people have lost their lives in Nepal since September 27, as relentless rains triggered floods and landslides across the country, officials confirmed on September 28. The death toll includes six players from Nepal’s national football academy, adding to the devastation caused by the extreme weather.
The heavy rains, which have swept across the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions, have caused widespread disruption, blocking major roads and halting domestic air travel. Home ministry official Dil Kumar Tamang reported that an additional 69 people remain missing, with 60 others injured.
The players from the Nepali Football Association (ANFA) were caught in a landslide in Makwanpur district while trying to move to safer ground. A search mission later recovered their bodies. ANFA expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased.
Kathmandu, the capital city, experienced heavy flooding, with some areas receiving up to 322.2 mm of rainfall in a single day, bringing daily activities to a standstill. Rescue operations are ongoing, with helicopters and rubber boats being used to evacuate people stranded on rooftops and other elevated locations.
Landslides have blocked highways at 28 points, further complicating rescue efforts, police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki said. Weather officials expect the heavy rains to continue until September 29 before subsiding.
In addition to the widespread damage, the Koshi River in southeastern Nepal, which frequently floods India’s Bihar state, is running dangerously high, with water flow levels significantly exceeding safety limits.
Since mid-June, Nepal has reported 254 deaths and 65 missing persons due to monsoon-related landslides, floods, and lightning strikes, making this monsoon season one of the deadliest in recent years.