Heavy rain and severe storms have triggered floods and landslides that have killed at least 56 people in India and 14 in Nepal, with authorities warning that more flash floods could occur.
In India, northern Uttar Pradesh recorded 66.5mm of rain between September 25 and the morning of September 27 — far above the normal 7.6mm for the same period, according to state relief commissioner Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod.
The heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding, with rescue teams operating in waterlogged areas and distributing relief supplies.
Officials have also been instructed to assess damage to crops and provide compensation to affected farmers.
In addition to the 56 deaths, at least 46 people have been injured and more than 1,000 homes damaged in Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, authorities in Nepal have warned of possible flash floods in 49 of the country’s 77 districts, with more than half of the country facing a high risk as water levels in major rivers and tributaries continue to rise.
Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, urged residents in Rasuwa and Nuwakot to remain alert following deadly floods in the areas last month.
The previous floods killed more than 1,450 people and left thousands still missing. However, Mahat said the two districts were not currently classified as high-risk areas.
The latest flooding has also disrupted essential infrastructure across Nepal.
Power supplies have been completely disrupted in Manang, Mustang, Myagdi and Baglung districts, while authorities work to restore electricity.
The Rahuganga River also damaged structures and transmission-line towers belonging to a 40-megawatt hydropower project, according to Water Resources and Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha.
Telecommunications services have also been disrupted in parts of Nepal after floods damaged optical fibre networks and power supplies, Communications Minister Bikram Timilsinha said.
In India, the Central Water Commission reported a “severe situation” at 30 river-monitoring stations across seven states.
Several major rivers, including the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati and Narmada, were reported to be above danger levels.
Meanwhile, a separate incident in Nepal saw 10 local workers reported missing after an avalanche buried the base camp of Himlung Himal in northern Manang district.
The workers had been setting up tents for foreign climbers at the 7,126-metre mountain when the avalanche struck. No foreign climbers were at the base camp at the time.
