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Death toll in Nepal floods reaches 142, 243 missing
According to a home ministry release, over 11,500 houses mostly in the plain districts of Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet and Dang in the country’s mid-western region have been inundated and nearly 13,000 families rendered homeless.
Death toll in floods and landslides across Nepal touched 142 on Monday with recovery of more bodies. The number of those missing increased to 243 till evening.
Deputy prime minister and home minister Bamdev Gautam told the parliament that 82 others are injured and thousands displaced as landslides and flooding affected nearly two dozen districts.
The government has declared national crisis in the flood-affected districts and formed a high-level mechanism headed by prime minister Sushil Koirala to oversee rescue, relief and rehabilitation.
According to a home ministry release, over 11,500 houses mostly in the plain districts of Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet and Dang in the country’s mid-western region have been inundated and nearly 13,000 families rendered homeless.
The worst affected is Surkhet district where 28 people have been killed in floods and landslides 98 others are missing. Bardiya (17) and Dang (14) are the other districts with high casualty figures.
With the amount of rainfall getting reduced since Saturday and water level in most major rivers and their tributaries flowing below danger levels the situation of expected to get better.
Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has issued an appeal to all Nepalis living in the country and abroad to help in rescue, relief and rehabilitation of those affected by floods and landslides.
“To add to the efforts taken by the government to help those affected by natural disasters I appeal for immediate help from all Nepali brothers and sisters in Nepal and outside,” said Koirala in his appeal.
In a release the home ministry mentioned about rescue and relief work undertaken in the affected areas. Food and shelter is being provided to those displaced and monetary relief given to those who have lost family members.
Efforts are also underway to repair roads and bridges affected by floods and landslides and resume vehicular movement on the east-west highway.
