Mahottari [Nepal], October 6 (ANI): Heavy monsoon rains have left widespread devastation in southern Nepal, claiming at least 61 lives across 10 districts as of Monday evening, according to Nepal Police data. Though the rainfall has eased since Sunday morning, its aftermath continues to disrupt life across the flood-affected plains.
Roads, paddy fields, and houses remain submerged, leaving many residents cut off from basic necessities. “From the paddies to all the basic essentials have been damaged by the flood, and there are no basic facilities here. Everything is submerged, and no assistance has arrived from authorities,” a flood victim from Mahottari district told ANI.
Major rivers in Nepal’s Terai region, often called the nation’s breadbasket, overflowed embankments due to excessive rainfall upstream. Villages in districts such as Mahottari and Jaleshwor remain inundated. “All the houses are inundated by floodwater. The damages are yet to be assessed. Clothes and essentials are gone, and proper drainage facilities are lacking,” a resident of Jaleshwor said.
Local authorities have relocated displaced families to community shelters. Narayan Prasad Risal, a senior district officer, said, “Those displaced are kept in safe areas with support from security agencies, local bodies, and the administration. Some have returned home as water recedes, while others remain sheltered. Food and drinking water are being provided, and further assistance will be arranged as needed.”
This year, Nepal has faced its deadliest disaster season, with Ilam in Koshi Province recording the highest toll of 37 deaths. Panchthar reported eight fatalities, Udayapur three, and other districts including Khotang, Sunsari, Rautahat, Morang, Mahottari, Sindhupalchok, and Sindhuli reported casualties ranging from one to three.
Rescue teams from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police have been deployed, but damage to infrastructure — including roads, bridges, electricity, and telecommunications networks — continues to hamper relief efforts. Some blocked roads have reopened as clearance work proceeds.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) attributed the latest floods to moisture-laden monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal. Since April 14, Nepal has recorded 285 disaster-related deaths, with 27 individuals still missing.
Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for NDRRMA, said, “Disasters reported today alone have claimed 44 lives, with five people missing. Ilam remains the worst-hit district with 37 deaths from landslides. In total, 50 districts have been affected this year.”
Data from NDRRMA shows snake bites as the leading cause of disaster-related deaths in 2025 (86 fatalities), followed by landslides (46), lightning strikes (45), floods (30), heavy rainfall (6), fires (23), storms (8), animal attacks (22), and additional landslides (19). Among the missing, floods account for 23 cases.
Since April, Nepal has recorded 4,065 disaster incidents, leaving 1,072 injured and affecting 7,211 families nationwide.
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