KATHMANDU: Landslides, a lighting strike and floods triggered by heavy rainfall killed at least 44 people in Nepal on Sunday, with five others reported missing, authorities said. Those killed included at least 37 people in the eastern mountain district of Illam, where whole villages were swept away by landslides, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said. Several other people are still missing. An official of the Armed Police Force said that at least 51 people have been killed.Heavy rainfall was reported since Friday in the district. Six people in the same family were killed when a landslide crushed their home, Illam’s assistant administrative officer Bholanath Guragai said.Rainfall was hampering efforts to reach the villages and many roads were swept away or blocked by the landslides.The government said helicopters were also evacuating people needing medical aid and ground troops were helping move people to safer areas. One more person was killed in landslide in a neighboring district. Three people in another district were killed as they were struck by lightning, while three more people died in flooding in southern Nepal.Nepal’s government issued a severe rainfall warning in the eastern and central parts of the country from Saturday to Monday, while shutting down major highways. All domestic flights were grounded on Saturday because of heavy rainfall but were reopened on Sunday.The major highways connecting the capital, Kathmandu, with other areas were closed by the authorities as some parts were blocked by landslides and others were shut as a precautionary measure. By Sunday evening, one route was partially opened for traffic.Offering help, PM Narendra Modi said, “India remains committed to providing any assistance.” “The loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing. We stand with the people and the Government of Nepal in this difficult time,” he wrote on X.
