26 districts affected by post-monsoon disaster; death toll reaches 117

Kathmandu:  A total of 26 districts have been affected by the post-monsoon disasters triggered by the torrential rains that claimed the lives of 117 people. At least 26 districts in the country witnessed floods, landslides and inundations owing to the post-monsoon rain caused by the effect of the wind from the Bay of Bengal and the westerly wind. Province 1 has faced the worst effect of the natural disaster. The province has recorded a maximum number of deaths followed by the Sudurpaschim Province. In the initial two days of the post-monsoon disaster — last Sunday and Monday — Sudurpaschim Province recorded a huge loss of lives and properties, which later shifted to Province 1. Other provinces have incurred comparatively less loss. The data shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs on October 24 recorded the death of 117 people in the disaster. Five bodies of those who had gone missing were recovered while 32 others were still missing, the data showed. Those who have been killed in the disasters include 56 are males, 35 women and 25 children. Similarly, among those who have gone missing, 13 are male, 7 women and 12 children. Likewise, 44 persons have sustained injuries in the floods and landslides and some of them returned home after treatment. The Home Ministry further stated that 118 houses were destroyed and 30 houses received partial damage. Climate change experts have stated that such torrential rains caused after the monsoon could be linked to climate change. The government information further recorded the damage in eight national highways. Six highways damaged by the disaster are yet to come into full operation. It has been estimated that the road infrastructures have alone incurred a loss of Rs 1.5 billion. Details on the loss caused to paddy crops are awaited. The government has already decided to provide treatment free of cost to the injured people and relief assistance to the families suffering human loss. Province 1 recorded the death of 67 persons while seven others were still missing. Panchthar district witnessed the death of 30 persons in the post-monsoon disasters. Likewise, Province 2, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces suffered comparatively fewer damages. As many as five districts in Karnali Province have been affected where eight people lost their lives, four sustained injuries and another one went missing. Sudurpaschim Province is second in rank to suffer most by the post-monsoon disaster. A total of 37 people lost lives and 22 went missing while 17 others sustained injuries in Sudurpaschim. The province’s Doti recorded 16 deaths while Bajhang logged 12 deaths. READ ALSO: PM Deuba to solve disaster survivors' problems soon