No Respite Soon as Nepal Braces for Heavy Rainfall Today, Alert Issued; 240 Dead So Far

Kathmandu: Nepal, which is reeling under widespre floods and landslides due to heavy rainfall over past few weeks, is expected to witness heavy rainfall on Thursday as well. rain-related incidents have claimed more than 240 people de across Himalayan nation so far.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Wednesday directed authorities and disaster management agencies to remain on high alert as wear forecasts predict heavy rainfall in Koshi and Bagmati provinces, as well as in Kathmandu Valley, through Wednesday and Thursday.

warning followed after Department of Hydrology and Meteorology flagged potential risks of furr downpours in parts of two provinces.

Lekhak urged National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), chief district officers, and local governments to caution against possible risk of disasters.

ministry also appealed to public to remain on alert and be prepared to mitigate potential risks of heavy rainfall and its consequences.

"I have directed chief district officers of Koshi and Bagmati province and chiefs of all security agencies in disaster-prone provinces to remain on alert," Lekhak said.

Taking in view conditions of major highways and ros due to rain-triggered landslides and floods, Lekhak urged travellers to be careful while travelling as risk remained high.

Home Ministry spokesperson Rishiram Tiwari said 13,071 people have so far been rescued from flood-hit areas. disaster, which began on Thursday, continued to cause widespre destruction in multiple provinces until Sunday, leaving thousands displaced. Large swas of eastern and central Nepal have been inundated since Friday.

More than 20,000 security personnel, including from Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police, have been deployed for all-out efforts of search, rescue and relief distribution.

(With PTI Inputs)