Nepal Floods: Horrific Visuals Show Bridges Collapse, Massive Destruction

Rescue teams in Nepal have been working tirelessly to recover bodies from buses and other vehicles buried by landslides near Kathmandu. The death toll from the recent floods has reached at least 148, with many still missing. After three days of heavy monsoon rains, the weather improved on Sunday, allowing for rescue and clean-up operations to commence.

In a tragic incident, rescuers found 14 bodies overnight from two buses heading to Kathmandu when a landslide engulfed them. On Sunday, another 23 bodies were discovered in vehicles at the same location, approximately 16 kilometres from Kathmandu. Workers continued searching for more victims possibly buried under debris.

Impact on Infrastructure

The floods have severely impacted infrastructure, with multiple bridges swept away by the strong currents. Videos circulating online show iron bridges struggling against the force of the water. Kathmandu remained isolated as landslides blocked all three highways leading out of the city.

In response to the disaster, police and soldiers are aiding rescue efforts using heavy machinery to clear roads blocked by landslides. The government has decided to close schools and colleges across Nepal for three days as a precautionary measure.

Weather Conditions and Causes

The monsoon season in Nepal typically spans from June to mid-September. Weather officials attribute the recent rainstorms to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal affecting parts of India near Nepal. This has led to unprecedented flooding in areas like Kathmandu.

Arun Bhakta Shrestha, an environmental risk official at ICIMOD, remarked, "I've never before seen flooding on this scale in Kathmandu." The centre highlighted that haphazard development increases climate change risks in Nepal.

Challenges Due to Urbanisation

The impact of the rains was worsened by poor drainage systems caused by unplanned urbanisation and construction on floodplains. Encroachment on rivers like Bagmati also contributed to inadequate water retention areas.

A statement urged authorities to invest urgently in infrastructure improvements such as underground stormwater systems. Both engineered ("grey") and nature-based ("green") solutions are needed to mitigate future disasters.

Regional Flooding Concerns

The Koshi River in southeast Nepal had been flowing above danger levels but has started receding, according to Ram Chandra Tiwari, a regional official. This river often causes deadly floods in Bihar, India, nearly every year due to its high water levels.

Residents in southern Kathmandu began cleaning their homes as water levels decreased after Saturday's inundation. At least 34 people lost their lives in Kathmandu alone, making it one of the hardest-hit areas by these floods.