Floods

Floods hit 4.9 million people in 15 Bihar districts as rivers keep swelling

More than 49 lakh people in 15 districts of Bihar were affected by floods on Monday as heavy rain over the past few days further swelled the rivers of the state already flowing above their danger marks. The local weather office said the state has recorded 111.7 mm of rain so far in September, around 13 per cent above normal. An official said incessant rain in catchment areas of rivers flowing from Nepal into Bihar and heavy rainfall in the state itself have caused several rivers and streams to flow above their danger marks. According to the Disaster Management Department, around 49.36 lakh people in 15 districts have been affected by floods. These districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Araria. The Ganga was flowing at 36.21 metres at 6 am on Monday at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur, which was 1.71 metres above the danger level. The Kosi river was flowing above the danger mark at

Over 4.8 mn affected in Bihar flood; water levels of rivers start to recede

Over 48 lakh people remained affected in flood-hit Bihar on Sunday, even as waters started to recede in most rivers which had been flowing above the danger mark, officials said. Bihar has received 111.7 mm of rainfall so far in September, around 13 per cent above normal, officials said. Around 48.70 lakh people in 575 gram panchayats across 88 blocks of 15 districts were affected by the deluge, they said. Among the worst-affected districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, and Araria, according to the Disaster Management Department (DMD). The Kosi was flowing above the danger mark at Baltar and Kursela, the Burhi Gandak at Khagaria, the Ganga at Digha, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon and Munger, the Punpun at Sripalpur, the Bagmati at Benibad and the Ghaghra at Darauli and Gangpur Siswan, the DMD said. The administration is operating 1,257 community kitchens, and 13 relief camps are in flood-affected areas. Arrangements for accommodation, food

Bihar flood situation grim as over 4.6 million affected across 15 districts

More than 46 lakh people across 15 districts of Bihar have been affected by floods, with the situation remaining grim on Friday as water levels continued to flow above the danger mark at several locations, officials said. Incessant rain across the state, coupled with heavy downpour in Nepal's catchment areas, has caused rivers and streams to overflow, officials said. According to the latest bulletin released by the Disaster Management Department (DMD), around 46.88 lakh people in 561 gram panchayats across 88 blocks in 15 districts have been affected by floods. The affected districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Araria. Among the worst-affected districts are Bhagalpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Begusarai, Katihar, Purnea and Buxar. According to the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre, the state has so far recorded 90 mm of rain in September, which is 20 per cent above normal

Nepal's flash floods death toll rises to 1,385, over 5,000 remain missing

The death toll in Nepal due to the flash floods rose to 1,385 on Friday as more bodies were recovered from the affected districts, while search and rescue operations continue for more than 5,000 missing people. The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal. At least 364 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan district, 228 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West, 199 from Nuwakot, 185 from Rasuwa, 77 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said. Two victims of the flash floods died in Kathmandu while undergoing treatment. The joint command of security personnel has continued its search and rescue operations, with the number of missing people estimated to be 5,130. So far, 13,676 people have been rescued from different areas. Meanwhile, at least 703 Nepalese nationals, who were stranded

Nepal floods: Death toll rises to 1,377; search continues for 5,000 missing

The death toll due to the flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,377 on Thursday as more bodies were recovered from the affected districts, while rescue and search operations continue for more than 5,000 missing people, authorities said. At least 364 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan district, 228 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West and 198 from Nuwakot, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Similarly, 178 bodies have been recovered from Rasuwa, 77 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu, it said. Two flood victims died during treatment in Kathmandu. The joint command of security personnel has continued search and rescue operations for the missing people, estimated to be 5,130. So far, 13,656 people have been rescued from the flood-affected areas. The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal. The Bhotekos

Over 4 million hit by floods in Bihar as rivers cross danger levels

More than 40 lakh people have been affected by floods across 14 districts of Bihar following torrential rains over the past five days, with several rivers flowing above the danger mark, officials said on Wednesday. "Incessant rain in various districts caused rivers and streams to overflow. Besides, heavy rainfall in catchment areas of Nepal has also led to rivers flowing above the danger level at several places," an official said. According to a statement by the Disaster Management Department (DMD), around 40.21 lakh people in 514 gram panchayats across 84 blocks in 14 districts have been affected by floods. The affected districts are Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnia and Arwal. According to the meteorological service centre, the state has recorded 79.6 mm of rainfall in September so far, which is 31 per cent above normal. In its latest bulletin, the DMD said, "The Ganga at Sultanganj in Bhagalpu

Nepal flood death toll climbs to 1,365 as rescue efforts continue

The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal climbed to 1,365 on Wednesday as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas, authorities said. Rescue teams continued to search for 5,326 people, including at least 589 foreign nationals, who remain missing, according to a Nepal Police news bulletin. Rescue teams recovered 363 bodies from Chitwan district, 226 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West, and 197 from Nuwakot. Similarly, 174 bodies were recovered from Rasuwa district, 75 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu. So far, 102 bodies have been handed over to the family members after completing the identification process, police said. Security personnel have safely kept 1,147 unidentified bodies underground in accordance with all prescribed protocols, including the collection of DNA samples to facilitate their identification. The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and .

Nepal floods: Death toll climbs to 1,357 as rescue efforts continue

The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,357 on Tuesday as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas, authorities said. Rescue teams continued to search for 5,326 people, while 13,583 people have been rescued so far, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said on Tuesday. The death toll from the devastating flash floods reached 1,357 after more bodes were recovered from different affected areas. The joint command of security forces have recovered 363 bodies from Chitawan district, 223 from Nawalparasi East, 222 from Nawalparasi West and 197 from Nuwakot. Similarly, 169 bodies were recovered from Rasuwa, 75 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu. So far, 102 bodies have been handed over to the family members after identification and fulfilling due legal formalities, according to NDRRMA. The floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, sent the Bhotekoshi River raging downstream,

Flood-hit Nepal races to rebuild bridges, roads with India, China support

Nepal is racing to restore vital road links severed by devastating flash floods, seeking temporary bridges from India and China as authorities work to reconnect isolated communities in the disaster-hit areas. The death toll from the August 26 disaster stood at 1,356 as of Monday, while 4,994 people remained missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). A total of 13,396 people have been rescued so far. The floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, sent the Bhotekoshi River raging downstream, washing away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects across northern and central Nepal. Nepal has sought temporary bridges from both India and China, which have responded positively. China has already sent two 100-metre Bailey bridges to the Korala border crossing in Mustang, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported on Tuesday. The Department of Roads has estimated damage to roads and bridges

Bihar floods affect 2.7 million people as rivers swell across 13 districts

Around 27 lakh people have been affected as rivers overflowing in Bihar inundated 13 districts, prompting Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to direct officials on Monday to ensure prompt relief and rescue operations while inspecting community kitchens for flood victims in Vaishali and Bhagalpur. Officials said 190 community kitchens were being run in various flood-hit districts, while 1,429 boats have been pressed into service for relief and rescue operations. CM Samrat Choudhary and his deputy Vijay Kumar Choudhary inspected the community kitchens in Vaishali and Bhagalpur, and directed the local authorities to continuously monitor river embankments and keep a close watch on vulnerable areas. Authorities have already sounded an alert in downstream areas of the Ganga after the river touched its highest flood mark at Gandhi Ghat and Hathidah in Patna. Fed by heavy rainfall, rivers have swelled and inundated 13 districts of Bihar, affecting 27 lakh people, officials said. So far in ...

Nepal flash floods death toll rises to 1,355, nearly 5,000 remain missing

The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal surged to 1,355 on Monday as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas, authorities said. Rescue teams continued to search for 4,996 people, including at least 589 foreign nationals, who remain missing, while 13,396 people have been rescued so far, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said. According to NDRRMA, 363 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan district, 221 from Nawalparasi West, 222 from Nawalparasi East and 197 from Nuwakot. Similarly, 169 bodies were recovered from Rasuwa, 75 from Gorkha, 70 from Dhading and 38 from Tanahu, it said. The joint command of security forces is actively conducting search and rescue operations. Major rescue operations are underway at hydropower projects in flood-affected districts, where hundreds of men are believed to be trapped in tunnels. Teams of experts from India and China are assisting their Nepali counterparts in these operations. T

Nepal observes national mourning as flash flood toll crosses 1,340

Nepal on Monday observed a national day of mourning on the 13th day of the Rasuwa flash flood disaster, honouring more than 1,340 people who lost their lives in one of the country's deadliest natural disasters in recent history. Nearly 5,000 people remain missing, including 589 foreign nationals, after the flash floods struck Rasuwa, bordering China, and adjoining districts on August 26 following an ice-rock avalanche in the high Himalayas, causing widespread loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure in northern and central Nepal. The government declared September 7 a national day of mourning to honour the victims of the catastrophic floods that swept through Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other areas along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems. The mourning is being observed on the 13th day after the disaster, in keeping with the traditional Hindu practice of marking the thirteenth day following a death. The day is regarded in many Hindu communities as an important per

Nepal's request for flood payout tests UN's new climate-aid system

Nepal is seeking compensation for climate change-related damages from a United Nations fund set up to help developing nations deal with the worst impacts of global warming

Nepal floods: Death toll rises to 1,344, nearly 5,000 people remain missing

Rescuers in Nepal continued searching for those missing, as authorities faced continuing difficulties in identifying the dead, 11 days after devastating floods struck large parts of the country. The death toll stood at 1,344, while nearly 5,000 people remained missing, according to Nepal Police. More than 13,100 people have been rescued so far. The disaster was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, sending a massive surge of water and debris downstream through the Bhotekoshi River and devastating settlements in northern and central Nepal. Homes, vehicles, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure were swept away. At least 21 people were killed on the Chinese side as well, while more than 500 people remained missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports. Of the bodies recovered in Nepal, at least 85 were children, while around 500 were recovered with body parts missing, according to officials. The condition of many bodies has complica

Nepal issues media safety protocol for journalists covering flood-hit areas

The protocol, issued for immediate implementation, requires journalists to carry valid press identification, follow safety instructions issued by security and rescue personnel

Nepal woman rescued from debris 10 days after devastating floods

A rescue from a mostly buried house gave new hope to a town devastated by floods in Nepal. Earlier Saturday, another survivor had been pulled from a tunnel

Bihar floods: Over 1 mn people affected as Ganga crosses highest flood mark

Around 10.26 lakh people across 11 districts of Bihar have been affected by floods, while the Ganga water level rose by 10 cm at Gandhi Ghat here, crossing the 'highest flood mark' on Saturday morning, amid heavy rain in the state, official bulletins said. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary directed ministers and officials to visit flood-affected areas and closely monitor relief and rescue operations. Senior officials have been asked to camp in affected areas and ensure close supervision of relief measures, amid rising water levels in the Ganga river, he said. The Ganga was flowing 1 cm above the 'highest flood mark' at 10 am, posing a risk of inundation in low-lying areas in the state's capital, a Water Resources Department bulletin said. People have been asked to exercise caution in view of the rising water level of the river. BJP national president Nitin Nabin said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the CM were monitoring the situation. Several rivers across Bihar are flowing above

9 expanding glacial lakes in Himachal pose flood risk: IIT-Mandi study

The unprecedented devastation and loss of lives in the wake of the Nepal flash floods have set off the alarm bells for Himachal Pradesh, with researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi identifying nine rapidly expanding glacial lakes in the state -- terming them ticking "water bombs". These lakes could pose a serious threat to downstream communities as rising temperatures accelerate melting of glaciers across the Himalayas, IIT-Mandi researchers said. The researchers, through analysis of satellite imagery and other datasets, found that the number of glacial lakes in the Himalayan region has increased by nearly 30 per cent over the past decade -- their size, too, has expanded significantly. This raises concerns over the possibility of sudden glacial lake outburst floods that could unleash massive volumes of water and debris downstream, said Prof Dericks P Shukla, Founding Chairperson, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, IIT-Mandi, who led the six-membe

Nepal floods: Death toll rises to 1,344 as rescue, relief ops continue

Nepal's flood-hit areas face growing concerns over contaminated drinking water and disease outbreaks, with authorities considering cholera and measles vaccination drives

Nepal floods: Death toll rises to 1,295; two workers rescued from tunnel

The death toll due to flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,295 on Friday as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas, while two men were rescued alive from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project after being trapped for nine days. The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, leaving a trail of destruction. So far, 1,293 bodies have been recovered from eight different districts across Nepal. These include 359 bodies recovered in Chitwan district, 221 in Nawalparasi East, 212 in Nawalparasi West and 186 in Nuwakot. Similarly, 140 bodies were recovered in Rasuwa, 72 in Gorkha, 65 in Dhading and 38 from Tanahu, according to Nepal Police. With two victims of the flood dying in two different hospitals in Kathmandu on Friday, the death toll has risen to 1,295. The joint command of security forces is actively conducting search and rescue operations for the estimated 5