International Desk //

The death toll from severe floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to at least 195. They lost their lives in this disaster caused by incessant rains across this South Asian country. Many more people are missing. News from Kathmandu Post Online.
Apart from this, more than 3500 people have been rescued and taken to a safe place. At least 195 people have been confirmed dead and many more are still missing in floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains that began last Thursday evening. According to Nepal Police, another 101 people were injured in the disaster and another 3,661 people were taken to safer places. This time, the Weather Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had already warned concerned agencies in Nepal about the change in weather system and the risk of disaster.

But the authorities still failed to prevent massive damage and loss of life. Officials are still uncertain about the actual death toll and the extent of damage to private and public property from the ongoing rains, floods and landslides. Bibhuti Pokharel, Information Officer, Meteorological Department, said, ‘We have alerted the public and agencies about the alarming risks and provided timely updates on the changing weather system. However, it seems that our message did not reach the audience that needed it. Data from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology also shows significant changes in monsoon patterns. Earlier the rainy season used to end in September, but since 2013 it has been delayed to October. This trend is not limited to Nepal, many countries in the region are witnessing an extended monsoon season. Experts predict similar delays this year as well.
Mainly changing rainfall patterns, a part of climate change has led to increasingly erratic weather patterns. Short periods of extreme rainfall to long droughts have wreaked havoc across Nepal over the past decade and a half, affecting thousands of people and threatening their livelihoods.
Climate expert Dr. Indira Kandel says, ‘Accurate weather forecasting is essential for disaster preparedness. The Meteorological Office has issued timely forecasts and updates, but the real problem is how the concerned agencies interpret and act on that information. Many parts of Kathmandu Valley and various other districts have been inundated by the ongoing floods. Apart from this, landslides and floods destroyed houses, vehicles and bridges as well as highways.