Nepal Death Toll Rises to 42 as Landslides and Floods Devastate Communities Amid Climate Change Concerns

Devastating landslides and flash floods caused by torrential rainfall in Nepal have claimed at least 42 lives, according to a disaster management official on Sunday.

The country has experienced severe flooding since Friday, with disaster authorities issuing warnings about rising water levels in numerous rivers across the region.

"As of now, 42 individuals have perished in rain-induced disasters, with five others still unaccounted for," confirmed Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, in a statement to AFP.

The eastern district of Illam was particularly hard-hit, with landslides claiming at least 37 lives in that area alone.

"The landslides were triggered by intense overnight rainfall," explained local district official Sunita Nepal.

"Rescue operations are hampered by blocked roads, making certain areas difficult to access. Rescue personnel are proceeding on foot to reach affected communities."

In Kathmandu, the capital city, rivers have overflowed their banks, submerging nearby settlements.

Security forces equipped with helicopters and motorboats have been deployed to assist in rescue and evacuation efforts.

The natural disaster has blocked numerous highways and disrupted flight operations, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded, many of whom were returning home after celebrating the Hindu festival of Dashain.

While monsoon rains typically occur from June to September in South Asia, bringing regular flooding and landslides, the frequency and severity of these disasters have escalated in recent years.

Climate experts attribute the worsening timing, frequency, and intensity of these catastrophic events to the ongoing effects of climate change.