Officials in Nepal report over 20 people have lost their lives and one is missing after heavy rain triggered landslides over the last few days. Heavy rain has also caused some flooding in areas of Bardiya, Kailali and Dadeldhura Districts.

Floods in Bardiya District, Nepal, 17 September 2022. Photo: Nepal Red Cross

Heavy rain triggered several landslides in Achham District in Sudurpashchim Province on 17 September. According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Authority (NDRRMA), there were at least 5 severe landslides across the municipalities of Dhakari, Kamalbazar and Turmakhad Rural. Achham is about 100 km south of Darchula which saw deadly landslides earlier this month.

NDRRMA said 22 people have lost their lives in landslides in Achham, while 1 person is missing and around 10 were injured. Several of those injured were airlifted by a military helicopter to Surkhet for treatment.

Over the last few days landslides have occurred in the districts of Baglung, Myagdi, Sindhupalchowk, Dailekh, Kailali, Surkhet and Rukum West, causing material damage but no loss of life. On 15 September 3 people died in a landslide that struck Bethanchowk Rural Municipality in Kavrepalanchowk District. Local media speculated that the landslide was caused by mining in the area.

Nepal Red Cross reported flooding in Bardiya and Kailali Districts. Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said the Babai river at Chepang in Bardiya stood at 6.56 metres as of 17 September, exceeding the danger mark of 6.10 metres. Levels have since fallen. NDRRMA also reported flooding in Parshuram Municipality of Dadeldhura District.