NU
Fri, 18 July 2025
Kathmandu – Nepal has experienced a significant increase in disaster-related incidents over the past three months, with authorities reporting at least 93 fatalities and 22 individuals still unaccounted for. This period, from mid-April to mid-July, recorded a staggering 2,065 disaster events across the nation.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) confirmed these figures. A total of 445 people sustained injuries, and 4,136 families across the country were directly impacted during this quarter of the Nepali year 2082.
Flooding incidents were particularly prevalent, accounting for 137 separate occurrences. These deluges alone led to 13 fatalities and were responsible for all 22 reported missing cases.
A notably devastating event struck Rasuwa on 8th July. A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from an upper region of the Bhotekoshi area caused substantial human casualties. This GLOF also reportedly damaged the vital Friendship Bridge, connecting Nepal with Tibet, and impacted several hydropower projects, affecting the country's electricity supply.
Landslides followed closely as the second most frequent hazard, with 175 reported events resulting in six fatalities.
However, lightning strikes emerged as the leading cause of death, claiming 26 lives. Other significant causes of fatalities included fire-related incidents (14 deaths), animal attacks (12 deaths), and altitude sickness (11 deaths).
Beyond these, numerous families were affected by additional hazards such as strong winds, snake bites, and heavy rainfall. Floods impacted 1,246 families, while 1,048 households suffered losses due to fires. Hundreds more faced displacement or financial hardship from a combination of these and other environmental occurrences.
NDRRMA officials anticipate a potential increase in extreme weather and disaster events as the monsoon season continues to unfold. Nepal remains exceptionally vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, having experienced numerous extreme weather phenomena over the past decade.
The nation's reliance on monsoon rains for agriculture, alongside its challenging mountainous terrain and often insufficient infrastructure, further highlights its susceptibility to such escalating events.
In the face of nature's fury, Nepal's resilience is tested, reminding us that preparedness is paramount.
