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At least 78 people have died and 41 are missing after flash floods struck central Texas, USA, on Friday. Kerr County was hardest hit, with 68 deaths, including 28 children, at Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp on the Guadalupe River. Ten American campers and a counsellor remain missing, according to BBC.

The river rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, sweeping away people and structures. Authorities expect the death toll to rise as storms continue to hamper rescue efforts A big recovery operation is underway.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott described the situation as "horrific" and vowed to continue search operations. US President Donald Trump has declared a federal disaster and intends to visit. Local residents are assisting, and Pope Leo XIV in Rome has offered prayers for the American victims, BBC reported.

Hundreds of rescuers have been deployed to search for survivors in central Texas, after flash floods killed 43 people, including 15 children, BBC reported.

"The work continues, and will continue, until everyone is found," promised Larry Leitha, the sheriff of Kerr County.

As the search goes into a second night, county officials said 27 children remained missing from a Christian youth camp located along the river. 

Some parents confirmed their child's death on social media. About 850 people have been rescued so far.

Multiple flash flood warnings remain in place over the weekend in central Texas, according to BBC.

At least 24 people died and around 25 girls remain missing after flash floods struck Texas on Independence Day. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, causing severe damage, BBC reported.

A large-scale overnight rescue operations are ongoing with helicopters, drones, and over 400 personnel. So far, 237 people have been rescued. Governor Greg Abbott confirmed federal support, and US President Donald Trump called the event “shocking” and “terrible.”

Floodwaters hit Camp Mystic in Kerr County, where communication outages have hindered contact with campers. Officials stressed that missing persons may be out of reach due to telecom disruptions, not necessarily lost.

The Hill Country and Concho Valley regions have declared states of disaster. Local officials said there was no early warning for the flood, which surpassed previous disasters, including a deadly 1987 church camp flood. Authorities urged residents to avoid flooded roads and seek higher ground, according to BBC.

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, three people died due to storm-related incidents, including falling trees during severe thunderstorms.

Northern and western China remain under red alerts as torrential rains threaten more flash floods and landslides. In Taiping, Henan province, five people died and three are missing after a river overflowed, prompting the deployment of over 1,000 rescue workers. In Gansu, two people were killed by a landslide at a construction site, according to Al Jazeera.

Xianfeng in Hubei province recorded over a month’s rainfall in just 12 hours, forcing the evacuation of 18,000 people and the suspension of schools and public transport.

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, during a visit to Hebei, urged officials to expand evacuation efforts. While China has a national weather monitoring system, experts warn that predicting extreme weather in rural areas remains difficult due to climate change and complex terrain, Al Jazeera reported.

Nearly a week of heavy monsoon rains and flash floods across Pakistan have killed at least 46 people and injured dozens as continuing severe weather similar to past emergenicies remains possible, officials said Monday, Associated Press reported.

The fatalities caused by abnormally strong downpours since Tuesday include 22 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 13 in eastern Punjab province, seven in southern Sindh and four in southwestern Balochistan, National Disaster Management Authority and provincial emergency officials said.

“We are expecting above-normal rains during the monsoon season and alerts have been issued to the concerned authorities to take precautionary measures,” said Irfan Virk, a Pakistan Meteorological Department deputy director, according to Associated Press.

When the skies opened last year, Nepal wasn’t ready. Heavy rain washed away roads and homes, and triggered landslides in many parts of the country. Main highways were rendered impassable, leaving passengers stranded for hours. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has warned that this year’s monsoon is expected to bring heavier-than-normal rainfall across Nepal. 

According to meteorologist Ujjwal Upadhaya, pre-monsoon rainfall from May to mid-June this year is expected to be average but if the heat intensifies, there will be rainfall across the country, especially in the hilly regions. 

Generally, in the first week of May, a low-pressure system activates throughout the country, bringing light rainfall, helping keep the temperatures from rising significantly. During the second and third weeks (May 7–20), the rainfall system weakens, resulting in a rise in temperature, and in the fourth week, rainfall will return, helping control the heat. 

“The first and second weeks of June are expected to bring a mix of heat and rain, especially in the hilly areas. However, in the Tarai region, rainfall will be low, and the heat will be intense,” said Upadhaya. This year the monsoon is expected to arrive in the third week of June, and the rainfall is estimated to be 5 percent above average. Eastern Nepal (Mechi, Koshi, Sagarmatha) is expected to receive 5–10 percent more rainfall, central Nepal (Janakpur, Bagmati, Narayani, Gandaki, and Lumbini) 4–6 percent more, and western and far-western regions are expected to receive average rainfall. 

As the areas that were damaged by floods and landslides last year are yet to be reconstructed, they remain at risk of further damage. It is crucial that the concerned authorities pay due attention.

Communities at risk

For many there is no escaping the devastation that monsoon brings year after year. Ask Priyanka Devi, a resident of Jagati, Bhaktapur. Every monsoon her family-run scrap warehouse gets flooded by the nearby Hanumante river. “Over time the water level in the river has risen to the point that it is now almost level with the road,” said Devi.

The family has installed a makeshift barrier to protect their warehouse from flooding, but they are not sure if the structure will hold. “We hope the rains don’t get worse this year,” added Devi.

For Salina Tamang, a resident of Suryabinayak, last year’s monsoon was a painful experience when floodwaters entered her store. Locals have expanded the river’s width to stop it from breaching the banks, but Tamang remains cautious.  “I just hope it won’t be bad this time,” she said.  

But Durga Gurung doubts the flood prevention measures launched by the locals will work. “Water levels here can rise as high as six feet. The only way to stay safe is to clear the ground floor and move upstairs until the floodwaters recede,” she said.

The country’s highways are equally vulnerable to monsoon-related disasters. BP Highway and Prithvi Highway—two vital roads linking Kathmandu to the rest of the country—suffered severe damage during last year’s monsoon. While the Department of Roads (DoR) claims that restoration efforts are ongoing, significant challenges remain.

Unsafe highways 

The BP Highway (Banepa-Sindhuli-Bardibas), in particular, has seen little progress. Nearly five months after devastating floods and landslides from the Roshi Khola and Sunkoshi rivers hit the Khurkot-Dhulikhel section, reconstruction work has yet to gather pace. Temporary tracks and diversions have been built to allow passage of vehicles, but they could be destroyed in an event of heavy rainfall. This highway is a vital corridor, handling more than 10,000 vehicles daily and serving as the fastest connection between eastern Nepal, the central Tarai, and Kathmandu. 

Rajan Dahal, a lawmaker from Sindhuli, has urged the government to build a durable alternative route before the monsoon arrives.  

Arjun Prasad Aryal, deputy director general at the Department of Roads, said that temporary restoration work on the BP Highway is progressing and is expected to be completed by June. As for restoring the damaged highway sections, he said the department is still in the process of finalizing the contractor.  Regarding the Prithvi Highway, Aryal said that the repair works are progressing alongside the highway widening project from Mugling to Pokhara. “Construction is ongoing without interruption, and we plan to continue the work even during the rainy season,” he said.

For the safety of passengers, the government is also planning to issue travel restrictions along the flood- and landslide-prone areas. 

Relief and preparedness 

Ram Bahadur KC, spokesperson and Information Officer at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), said that families affected by the monsoon-related disasters have already received government aid. He also noted that reconstruction and relief efforts are still underway in several areas.
As for preparedness, he said the government will soon come up with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework.  “We are also identifying vulnerable communities, where we plan to run safety and awareness campaigns tailored to their needs and concerns,” said KC. He also added that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has also been coordinating with the Armed Police Force and local governments to conduct disaster response drills and strengthen safety and preparedness.

Highlighting the growing role of technology in disaster preparedness, KC said that early warning systems have been installed in 49 locations across the country. “These systems can make a real difference. We saw fewer casualties last monsoon because of the warning systems,” he said.

According to the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal (DRR), floods have already affected 62 families between April and 7 May this year. As the country braces for impact, experts say individuals must also prepare. They recommend preparing an emergency kit with essentials such as flashlights, batteries, medicine, dry food, drinking water, and first-aid supplies. Avoiding risk-prone areas, like riverbanks, hillsides, and active construction sites, and checking the road road condition before traveling can also save lives. This year’s monsoon will be a test of our infrastructure, our preparedness, and our collective resolve to learn from past failures.

A man was found dead in Balkhu, Kathmandu Metropolitan-14 on Wednesday.

Locals said that he may have died after being swept away by the flash flood last night.

They informed police after they saw the body near the vegetable market this morning.

His family members have reached the incident site.

Metropolitan Police Circle, Kalimati is investigating the case.

The flood in Kagbeni of Mustang on 13 August, 2023 has caused a loss of millions of rupees, according to data prepared by the disaster management committee, Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality.

Around 1 billion worth of properties were damaged in the flood that destroyed many private houses, government and non-governmental buildings, business houses and other structures, the data shows. The disaster also destroyed crops and fruit farming in the area. 

Apple farming grown in over 11 ropanis of land and 170 apple saplings were destroyed in flood, said Lokendra Singh Dhami, agriculture section chief at the Rural Municipality.

The flood has displaced dozens of local people.

After being displaced, some of the flood victims are taking shelter in their families' houses while others are taking refuge in school buildings.

Without relief, they are finding it difficult to manage meals, they said.  

The Helambu Rural Municipality has requested assistance from the provincial government after the floods in Melamchi river caused more damage.

Informing about the damage caused by the floods and landslides, Rural Municipality Chair Nima Galzen Sherpa requested the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning under the Bagmati Pradesh government for assistance.

Chair Sherpa expressed his displeasure that Melamchi Municipality, Helambu, Panchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality and others which are at high risk of disaster, have not been provided funds immediately.

Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet inspected the flood-hit areas of Sindhupalchok including Helambu and Melamchi on Saturday.

Minister Basnet is an elected Member of Parliament from Constituency 2 of Sindhupalchok.

On the occasion, Minister Basnet directed the district administration office and concerned agencies to conduct immediate relief programs in the flood-affected areas.

Minister Basnet said that Bagmati Province MP Krishna Kumar Tamang, Nepali Congress Sindhupalchok District Secretary Rameshraj Bhandari, Melamchi Deputy Mayor Ramsharan Giri and other leaders have also been deployed for the relief and rescue of the residents of the flood-affected areas.

Varagung Muktichettra Rural Municipality-4 in Kagbeni, Mustang has been shrouded in darkness for three days since a monsoon-induced flood disrupted electricity supply in the locality.

A massive flood occurred in the locality last Sunday and swept away over a dozen of electricity poles installed in and around the river basin. The poles were being repaired to resume electricity supply in the locality, said Anup KC, Chief District Officer (CDO), Baglung.

The Nilgiri Consumer Cooperatives has been distributing electricity in Kagbeni and other adjacent places. "The Cooperatives responsible for distribution of electricity have assigned technicians to repair the flood-damaged pillars," said CDO KC.

He added that the supply of drinking water would be resumed from today in Kagbeni. The flood had swept away pipelines of drinking water. The local authority is preparing to supply the drinking water brought from a nearby village.

Hundreds of villagers have been compelled to live in darkness due to power shortage, said Dhawa Dorje Gurung, a local resident.

The flood had swept away 29 houses and partially damaged 13 houses in Kagbeni.

No human causality was reported in the incident.

Floods triggered by incessant rainfall in Kagkhola on Sunday night have caused a huge loss in Kagbeni.

The floods have completely destroyed 29 houses and 12 vehicles.

DSP Rabindra Nath Paudel of the District Police Office, Mustang said that the floods also swept an excavator.

He said that the floods have caused partial damage to 13 houses of Kagbeni Village while nine cow sheds have been completely destroyed.

Similarly, three temporary bridges, a concrete bridge connecting Jomson-Korala and a suspension bridge linking Kagbeni-Tire Gaun have been washed away, DSP Paudel said.

Warjung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality Chairman Rinjin Namgel Gurung said that the floods swept away houses, shops, hotels, police station and ward office among other structures.

Likewise, the floods in the Kagbeni river also washed away religious shrines and temples.

Gurung said that it will take a few days to gather the details of the property damaged by the floods in Kagkhola apart from physical structures.

The administration, police and local level had moved the people living near the embankment of the river to safer places after the landslide blocked the Kagbeni river.

Police said that there was no human loss owing to the floods in Kagbeni because of the same.

Floods have also damaged electricity, telephone and internet poles.

Chief District Officer Anup KC along with the teams of all three security agencies from Jomsom had reached the floods-hit area in Kagbeni after the floods caused damage to the Kagbeni Dham.

Floods triggered by heavy rains on Sunday evening wreaked havoc at Kagbeni in Warjung Muktichhetra-4 of Mustang.

According to a preliminary investigation, the flood triggered by torrential rainfall in the Thado Khola last night washed away around two dozen houses.

Warjung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality Chairman Rinjin Namgel Gurung said that the floods swept away houses, shops, hotels, police station and ward office among other structures.

Likewise, the flood in the Kagbeni river also washed away religious shrines and temples.

The flood caused partial damage to the house where NMB Bank is located and Janashakti Secondary School.

The sudden flood has swept away goods of half a dozen houses and houses in the southeast of Kagbeni river have been completely destroyed.

The flood also washed away a temporary bridge and an under construction bridge that would connect Josom and Korala.

Similarly, it has been said that the flood also swept away two parked vehicles.

Earlier on Sunday evening, the landslide had blocked the Thado Muktinath Kagkhola in Kagbeni.

Following the incidents, the locals have been moved to safer places.

Chief District Officer of Mustang Anup KC said that no human casualties have been reported so far.

He said that preparations are underway to collect the details of the properties destroyed and damaged by the floods.

CDO KC further said that a team of security personnel has left for the incident site to carry out rescue operations.

The Madhes Province government on Wednesday decided to provide Rs 1 million to carry out relief and rescue operations in eight districts of the province.

A meeting of the Province Disaster Management Executive Committee presided over by Province Minister for Home, Communications and Law Mohammad Samim decided to provide the money to distribute relief to the flood survivors.

Minister Samim said that the province took the decision to immediately send the relief amount to the district administration office in all eight districts to purchase relief and rescue materials.

"There is a problem of flooding and inundation in all eight districts of the province. Keeping this in mind, a decision has been made to immediately provide the relief amount to the disaster management committees headed by chief district officers,” he said.

"Besides, the provincial mechanism has also decided to collect and distribute relief through one door system", Minister Samim shared.

The meeting also discussed the measures to make relief and rescue works effective and establish good coordination among security agencies and stakeholders.

The incessant rain for the past couple of days has affected normal life in Madhes.