Nepal is experiencing one of the worst natural disasters in decades, following the intense monsoon rains that have caused floods and landslides throughout the country since late September, leaving 238 dead and more than 100 people still missing. The scale of the disaster has forced the government to take drastic measures, such as launching search and rescue operations, organizing air evacuations and providing aid to the victims.
The impact of the rainfall has been devastating not only in terms of human casualties, but also to the country's essential infrastructure and economy. Nepalese authorities have estimated preliminary damage at more than $120 million, Severely affecting key sectors for the country's development such as agriculture, water supply and electricity. However, some estimates by local economists put the losses at more than $500 million, as the rains have mainly affected the Kathmandu Valley, which constitutes a significant part of the national GDP.
Tourism and transport severely affected
Torrential rains have not only caused havoc to physical infrastructure, but have also affected the tourism industry and the daily activities of thousands of residents.The country's main communication routes, including roads and bridges, have been severely damaged, leading to the partial isolation of many towns, including the capital Kathmandu.
Furthermore, The road blockade has left hundreds of travelers and hikers isolated, especially in popular mountain areas such as Everest, Simikot and Langtang. Fortunately, the Government has organised air evacuation operations, and nearly 200 people have been evacuated. However, Other groups, such as the 150 hikers in Lukla, remain unrescued. due to the poor weather conditions, although some of them have begun to return on their own.
Along with efforts to evacuate stranded tourists, authorities have also decided to ban passenger buses from running overnight to prevent further casualties due to landslides that continue to affect mountain roads.
Government response and criticism
The Government of Nepal has mobilised more than 30.000 police and army personnel to carry out rescue and assistance work in the worst-affected areas. The operations are taking place amid accusations of slow official response., especially after the tragic landslide that buried several vehicles near Kathmandu, leaving more than 30 dead.
Despite these setbacks, the government has assured that it has taken measures to mitigate the crisis. Heavy equipment has been deployed to clear blocked roads, and repairs have begun at affected hydroelectric plants, as 16 power plants have been put out of serviceWork to restore power and reopen roads will take time and effort, officials said.
On the other hand, the authorities have decreed the closure of all schools and universities until further notice, as well as the cancellation of scheduled exams. The aim, according to the Ministry of Education, is to ensure the safety of students and allow affected families to concentrate on getting to safety.
Colossal damage to infrastructure and agriculture
The economic impact has also been devastating. The agricultural sector, one of the main pillars of the Nepalese economy, has suffered losses worth 45 million dollars., according to preliminary government estimates. Heavy rains have devastated crop fields and irrigation systems, leaving many rural workers without a livelihood.
Furthermore, The energy sector has suffered damages of 30 million dollars, which has significantly reduced electricity generation in the country., and water supplies have also been compromised, with losses estimated at $26 million. As an additional effect, $19 million in damage has been recorded on the road network, and 1.769 homes and 55 bridges have been completely destroyed.
Prolonged monsoon and extreme weather events
The rainy spell that hit Nepal this year was due to a low pressure system that formed over the Bay of Bengal. Normally, The monsoon season in the country begins in mid-June and concludes in late September., but this year the rains are expected to continue until the first week of October, which worsens the emergency situation.
Rainfall has broken historical records in many regions, especially in Kathmandu and its surroundings, which have recorded the heaviest rains in decades. This situation has caused The country's authorities will declare three days of national mourning in honor of the victims.
Experts have linked these phenomena to an increase in the frequency and severity of weather events related to climate changeNepal's mountainous terrain and numerous fast-flowing rivers make the country particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, and authorities have warned that rains could continue to cause minor damage in the coming weeks.
As the weather begins to improve, efforts to clear roads blocked by landslides have begun, although some parts of the country will remain inaccessible for a prolonged period. The damage to infrastructure, homes and livelihoods has been colossal., and reconstruction will be a monumental task for the Nepalese people.
