Rescuers search for missing people in Nepal following flooding and landslides that killed 224

In Nepal, rescuers are working to find two dozen missing individuals and recover bodies after severe flooding and landslides that have killed over 200 people. The disaster struck ahead of the country’s biggest festival, Dasain, which begins on Thursday. With roads busier than usual due to festival travel, the damage to key routes is likely to hinder many people's plans.

The death toll has reached 224, with 158 others injured, according to Chief Secretary Eak Narayan Aryal. The floods have also damaged 16 hydroelectric power plants, affecting Nepal's electricity supply, and caused destruction to 18 other construction projects.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli's government has faced criticism for a slow response, especially after a landslide hit vehicles just 16 kilometers from Kathmandu, killing around three dozen people. Oli acknowledged the challenges, stating that while the government was prepared for a disaster, they did not anticipate one of this magnitude.

Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing, with improved weather conditions allowing workers to begin clearing blocked highways in mountainous regions. However, of the 37 highways damaged, only nine have reopened. Repairing the washed-out sections along the rivers will take significant time and effort. Police, soldiers, and heavy machinery are all being used in the clean-up and rescue efforts. Schools and colleges have been closed to aid recovery operations and allow students time to recover.

The flooding was triggered by heavy rainfall at the end of Nepal’s monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to mid-September.