The death toll in landslides and floods due to incessant rain since Friday has reached 52, according to Nepal Police. The data collected till Sunday show that most of the deaths occurred in Koshi Province (eastern Nepal), particularly in Ilam district where 37 people lost their lives. Two deaths each were reported in Udayapur and Khotang and eight in Panchthar districts.
Apart from that, three people died in flooding in Rautahat.
Rescue and relief operations are continuing in the affected areas, authorities added while cautioning the public about further landslides and flooding.
A section of the trekking route between Namche and Jorsalle in the Sagarmatha region has also been damaged by a landslide. The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has urged trekkers to exercise caution and use an alternative route while traveling in the affected area. According to TAAN, the main trail has been blocked, and trekkers are advised to take the alternative mule route located about 200 to 300 meters above the main path.
The association has also called on all trekking agencies, guides and trekkers to prioritize safety and make necessary preparations before continuing their journey.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts were underway on Sunday to clear access to campsites on Tibet’s eastern slope of Sagarmatha, where nearly 1,000 people have been trapped by a blizzard that has blocked roads, according to Chinese state media reports. Hundreds of local villages and rescue teams have been deployed to help remove snow blocking access to the area, which sits at an altitude above 4,900 meters, according to a report in Jimu News.
Some tourists on the mountain have already been brought down the mountain, it added. The snowfall began on Friday evening and continued throughout Saturday, according to notices on the official WeChat accounts of the local Tingri County Tourism Company, which said ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area were suspended from late Saturday.
The Saptakoshi river, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of individuals with deadly floods in Bihar state in eastern India almost every year, is flowing above the danger level. All the 56 sluice gates of the Koshi barrage have been opened to discharge water as against about 10 to 12 in a normal situation, and vehicle movement on the bridge was banned by the authorities.
Meanwhile, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has warned that river basins in Udayapur, Saptari, and Sunsari are at high risk of flooding. Residents in these areas have been urged to exercise extreme caution, and on Saturday, the DHM sent 5m flood alert SMS messages to the public. In coordination with Nepal Telecom and Ncell, the messages were disseminated to ensure that people living in flood-prone areas remain alert and prepared.
Hundreds of people die every year in wet-season landslides and flash floods that sweep through Nepal, typically from mid-June to mid-September. Weather officials had forecasted rains were to pound the country through Monday and officials said they were taking “maximum care and precautions” while helping victims of the tragedy.
322mm rainfall in Ilam
Ilam, the district worst affected by landslides and human casualties, recorded 322 millimeters of rainfall in the past 24 hours, according to the DHM. All weather stations in Ilam reported more than 200mm of rain, with Kanyam and Mai Pokhari receiving 276mm, categorized as extremely heavy rainfall.
Other districts also recorded significant precipitation in the same period—Morang (233mm), Sunsari (205mm), Dhankuta (166mm), Dhanusha (192mm), Sindhuli (205mm), Saptari (180mm), Rautahat (205mm), and Makwanpur (224mm). The highest rainfall was recorded at Maheshpur in Rautahat, with 358mm between Saturday morning and Sunday morning.
Rautahat recorded the heaviest rainfall among the observation stations across Madhes, Koshi and Bagmati provinces. Stations measuring over 300mm of rain include Himali Gaun (332.6mm) and Kanyam Tea Estate (314.2mm) in Ilam, and Mudali (328.6mm) and Gaur (315.0mm) in Parsa district.
Between 4:30 am Saturday and 4:30 am Sunday, rainfall data were collected from 295 monitoring stations (79 manual and 216 automatic). Of these, 186 stations recorded rainfall, with 105 measuring above 50mm, 68 above 100mm, 21 above 200mm, and five recording over 300mm.
As per standards, heavy rainfall refers to 50–100mm in 24 hours, very heavy rainfall is 100–200mm, and extremely heavy rainfall is more than 200mm in 24 hours.
Meanwhile, water levels in Bagmati, Trishuli, Eastern Rapti, Lalbakaiya and Kamala rivers have crossed alert levels but are now gradually receding. On Sunday, the Saptakoshi river also crossed the danger level, along with its tributaries, Tamor, Sunkoshi, and Arun, though the water level is now going down.
Rivers originating from the Chure and Mahabharat ranges, including Kankai, Budhi Khola, Lohandra, Kheshliya, and Biring, also surpassed danger levels but are now showing a decreasing trend, the DHM said. It added that although the low-pressure weather system causing the rainfall has now moved out of Nepal and the monsoon is weakening, it has not yet withdrawn. Authorities continue to closely monitor weather patterns and potential flood risks across the country.
Generation of 105 MW halted
Heavy rainfall has caused floods and landslides, forcing the shutdown of 13 hydropower projects with a total capacity of 105 megawatts, all located in Ilam district.
The Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) reported that most hydropower projects in Ilam have been damaged by floods and landslides. Preliminary data collected by IPPAN shows that 13 operational projects producing 105.4 MW are currently offline. Additionally, five under-construction projects totaling 93 MW have also sustained damage.
The fully affected operational projects include Maikhola, Maikhola Cascade, Super Mai, Super Mai A and its Cascade, Jogmaikhola and its Cascade, Lower Jogmai, Maibeni, Upper Maikhola, and Mai C Cascade. According to IPPAN, the floods damaged key infrastructure, including intakes, powerhouses, substations, headworks, and transmission lines of these projects.
Among the under-construction projects, Sabakhola B and Hevakhola in Panchthar have been damaged. In addition, Siddhikhola in Ilam and Brahmayani and Upper Brahmayani in Sindhupalchok have also suffered flood-related damage. IPPAN noted that the headworks, access roads, powerhouses, and construction materials of these projects were affected by the floods.
Floods have also damaged 1,500 meters of river embankments in various locations, causing preliminary estimated losses of around Rs 100m.
According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the Kankai river breached approximately 200 meters of the lower right bank embankment along the Postal Highway in Gauriganj-2, Jhapa. The Mechi river damaged several spurs, resulting in losses of around Rs 5m.
The Keshaliya river (Budhi Khola) flooded settlements in Biratnagar Metropolitan City-6 and 12, displacing 75 households. Along the eastern bank of the Kamala river in Siraha’s Pateruwa, floodwaters damaged the embankment, causing estimated losses of Rs 2.5m.
The Lalbakaiya river washed away about 60 meters of embankment on the right bank in Maualapur Municipality-1, Maryadpur, damaging approximately 100 hectares of paddy fields. In Baudimai, about 120 meters of embankment was destroyed, inundating 200 hectares of paddy fields and around 200 homes and livestock shelters, with estimated damages of Rs 6m.
In Mahottari, the Rato river caused damage in Balwa Municipality-2, 10, and 11, washing away a total of 390 meters of embankments in Banchauri, Leuri, Bhalni, and Bhagwatipur. Additional breaches include 400 meters in Loharpatti, 20 meters in Rattbara (Mahottari Rural Municipality-6), and 80 meters in Bakhari and Khaira of Jaleshwar Municipality-1, 4, and 7, bringing the total embankment breach to 890 meters.
The district headquarters, Jaleshwar, was also affected by flooding. The ministry estimates the total damage in Mahottari at around Rs 80m.
BP highway destroyed again
Floodwaters from the Roshi river have swept away the diversion road along the Chaukidanda–Nepalthok section of the BP Highway, severely affecting transportation in the region. Around 4.5 kilometers of the diversion road have been destroyed. The diversion had been constructed after last year’s floods damaged the highway, but this year’s heavy flooding has washed away most of it again.
Between Chaukidanda and Barkhekhola in Kavre, floods have washed away diversions at 16 locations, covering about 3.5 kilometers of the road. Similarly, three sections of diversion between Barkhekhola and Nepalthok in Sindhuli have also been destroyed. The flood level in the Roshi River remains high, making it difficult to inspect the damaged areas. It appears that most of the diversions built after last year’s flood have been washed away again. Around 800 meters of diversion may have been lost on Sunday alone.
Reconstruction work has not yet started due to the high water level. The government plans to reopen the road within 72 hours, but the work cannot begin until the floodwaters recede. Equipment from both the government and contractors is already on-site and will be mobilized to reopen the BP Highway as soon as possible.
The government had spent a significant amount on repairs after last year’s floods damaged the BP Highway. The Bhaktapur Division Road Office constructed the diversion using its own machinery and resources rather than contracting it out. Reconstruction of the BP Highway in Kavre has been divided into four sections, but only two have been contracted so far. The Bhakundebesi–Charsebesi section has been awarded to Lama–Navkantipur JV, and the Charsebesi–Dalabesi section to Khani–Kamaljit–Ewan Construction Service. Japan has pledged to support the reconstruction of one remaining section, while another section is still awaiting contract approval. In Sindhuli, the Barkhekhola–Nepalthok section was awarded to Kharidhunga–Ghising–Kshitiz JV, but no substantial reconstruction has yet begun.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall across eastern Nepal has caused widespread damage to several road sections. According to the Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Office (FRSMO), Damak, Jhapa, multiple roads have been blocked due to landslides, road subsidence, and damaged bridges and culverts. The Harkapur–Okhaldhunga–Solu and Halesi–Diktel–Chakhewa roads have suffered minor landslides but remain open, with continuous clearing work underway. The Mirchaiya–Katari–Ghurmi (64 km) and Gaighat–Diktel (37–45 km) roads are completely blocked, though efforts are ongoing to reopen them within a day. The Dharan–Bhedetar road is obstructed by a landslide near Nisane Khola, with clearing work expected to be completed within two hours.
On the Bhedetar–Mulghat and Pakhribas–Leguwa roads, multiple landslides have reduced traffic to one lane in several areas. Roads in Ilam and Panchthar districts have been heavily damaged, particularly the Fikkal–Godak, Godak–Maikhola, and Nepaltar–Phidim sections, where floodwaters have swept away embankments, bridges, and culverts. The Mechi Corridor has also suffered extensive damage, with bridges collapsing in Lalikharka, Puwakhola, and other areas, completely halting transportation as damage assessments continue. Along the Tamor Corridor, floodwaters have washed away sections of the road up to Subang Khola from Mulghat, with traffic expected to remain suspended for at least two days. Heavy equipment has been deployed to reopen these routes.
While some sections may reopen soon, officials say it could take several more days to restore full transportation, particularly along the Ilam–Panchthar and Mechi Corridor roads, where the damage is severe.
India offers support
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the losses caused by heavy rainfall. Through social media, Modi described the damage to life and property as distressing and reaffirmed that the Indian government is committed to providing any necessary assistance. “As a friendly neighbor and first responder, India is committed to providing any required support,” Modi said, adding, “We stand with the people and government of Nepal during this difficult time.”
Meanwhile, Kamalram Joshi, director-general of the DHM, has credited advance warnings, coordinated understanding, and a one-door system approach for successfully managing recent weather-related disasters in Nepal. Speaking to News Agency Nepal, Joshi said that although the country faced floods and landslides near the end of this year’s monsoon, the loss of life and property was lower than in previous years.
“This year, we had to deal with hydrometeorological disasters at the end of the monsoon,” he said. “Thanks to the DHM’s forecasts, uniform understanding of warnings and coordinated implementation through a one-door system, the impact on people and property is estimated to be less than in past events.”
Joshi added that while complete data is still being collected, overall, the country was successful in responding to the disaster.
Additionally, Speaker of the House Devraj Ghimire expressed gratitude to the government for its role during the disaster. In a message released on Sunday, he said he was deeply saddened by the widespread loss of life and property caused by floods and landslides. He extended sympathy to affected citizens and praised the government’s response.
Speaker Ghimire stated, “I would like to thank all security agencies, health workers, technical teams, and volunteers deployed for rescue and rehabilitation on behalf of the government, and draw attention to the relief efforts for the victims.” He added that disasters can only be overcome if everyone moves forward together and appealed to all citizens to fully support security agencies and local administrations involved in relief and rescue operations.
Weather system exits
The seasonal weather system responsible for three days of continuous rains has moved out of Nepal and is now active near Sikkim and Bhutan, according to experts. Residual showers in some areas of the Koshi basin are expected to cease soon, says meteorologist Ujjwal Upadhyay. “However, the flow of the Koshi remains high, so caution is advised for lower riverbank areas until the evening. Current analyses indicate that no moderate or heavy rainfall is expected in the near future. The monsoon is likely to fully withdraw within the next week, ensuring that this year’s Tihar festival can be celebrated without weather disruptions,” he says.
Although transportation on highways outside the Koshi region can resume, landslide risks remain. In Kathmandu and surrounding regions, daily life returned to normal, and smaller rivers and streams no longer pose a risk.
Work afoot to reopen BP Highway asap: Minister Ghising
Efforts are on to reopen the BP Highway, which has remained blocked due to incessant rains, as soon as possible, the government has stated. Minister for Energy, Water Resources, Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, informed that efforts are underway to reopen the Bhakundebesi–Nepalthok section of the BP Highway within three to four days.
Speaking at a press meet, Minister Ghising said that the construction of diversions and removal of obstructions has already started on the BP Highway and the Mechi Highway. “The repair of the damaged sections, especially the Bhakundebesi–Nepalthok section, has already begun. We are sending necessary equipment to resume vehicular movement as early as possible, hopefully within three or four days,” he added, urging members of the public to use alternative routes in the meantime.
Recent landslides and flooding due to incessant rains have led to widespread damage to roads across the country, disrupting transport in most areas. The ministry clarified that equipment, human resources and resources needed for repair and reopening of broken-down roads have been mobilized, with top priority given to sections of highways blocked.
Round-the-clock repairs are afoot to reopen the major highways, such as the Prithvi Highway, the ministry said. The ministry also informed that it was acting in coordination with District Administration Offices, Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Traffic Police and local governments to restore road linkages across the country.
For latest road updates, the Department of Roads has asked the public to visit its official website or contact its call center on 9851416893.
Condoling the deaths of people in the recent disasters, the ministry expressed sympathy to the victims and bereaved families and asked the people to remain patient and alert at this time. Minister Ghising stated that the government's timely preparedness had helped in minimizing human losses.
He also informed that in some areas, misinformation and lack of care had led to disasters. Referring to the Langtang disaster, where four trekkers have gone missing, the minister said that some individuals may have ignored advice and believed astrological predictions that downplayed the danger. “In spite of repeated warnings to keep away from riverbanks and risky areas, some did not budge,” Minister Ghising said. “In a few cases, we had to forcibly relocate them to prevent the loss of lives. A few casualties were prevented because of such interventions.”
He further explained that while rainfall is continuing in the eastern region, the weather is expected to improve by tomorrow, and the government is focusing on rapid road restoration and rehabilitation works.
