Monsoon‑Induced Disasters Leave at Least 43 Dead in Two Days

The death toll from monsoon‑induced disasters in the past two days has risen to 43, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported Sunday, October 5. At least five people remain missing, while 12 others have been injured, and two were medevaced for critical treatment.

By 2 p.m. Sunday, the NDRRMA update confirmed 37 deaths from landslides in Ilam district, three deaths from lightning strikes in Rautahat, one drowning each in Khotang and Udayapur, and one landslide fatality in Panchthar. Among the missing, four were swept away by floods in Rasuwa, and one was buried in a landslide in Ilam.

Injuries were reported as follows: four from landslides in Ilam, one in Panchthar, three each in Bhojpur and Khotang, and one in Makwanpur due to lightning strikes.

The Nepali Army medevaced two injured individuals — including a pregnant woman — from Patigaun in Maangsebung Rural Municipality‑1, Ilam, to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, according to the state‑owned RSS news agency.

Most districts in central and eastern Nepal recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall from Friday evening, October 3, through late Saturday night. The downpour triggered landslides and floods that submerged settlements and disrupted transport networks.

While rainfall eased early Sunday in western Madhes Province and the Kathmandu Valley, meteorologists forecast light to moderate showers there and heavy to very heavy rain in eastern Nepal.

In response to the weather threat and growing disaster risks, the government has declared public holidays for Sunday and Monday, October 5 and 6.