Nepal Faces Fresh Flood Threat as River Levels Rise Across the Country

Nepal is facing the possibility of another major flood emergency, with rising water levels and flows reported in rivers across the eastern, central and western parts of the country. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has issued warnings of possible flash floods in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts and said water levels in several smaller rivers are rising. Authorities have also identified flood risks in numerous districts across eastern, central and western Nepal and advised people living in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations. The Koshi, Narayani, Bagmati, Karnali and Mahakali rivers and their tributaries could become dangerous, while officials are closely monitoring the Kankai, Kamala, Babai and Rapti rivers. CCTV cameras have been installed in Rasuwa's Timure to monitor river flow directly. Nepal's Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha also held a review meeting with weather experts on the flood situation.

The disaster has already caused a devastating loss of life, with reports indicating that 1,050 people had died and around 4,000 remained missing, including 583 foreign nationals. Rescue teams have evacuated around 12,000 people to safer locations, although continuing rainfall and rising river levels are hampering relief operations. India and China have also joined rescue efforts, with teams helping evacuate people trapped inside hydropower project tunnels. Around 280 people have reportedly been rescued from tunnels, including at the Mailung project in Rasuwa, where rescuers blasted through an alternative section of a mountain to reach those trapped. Meanwhile, Nepal has said it plans to seek compensation from countries responsible for high greenhouse-gas emissions, arguing that climate-vulnerable nations should receive climate compensation rather than charity. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said melting Himalayan glaciers and climate-related disasters threaten not only Nepal but the wider South Asian region. Nepal has reportedly written to India, China and the United States seeking compensation. Nepalese billionaire Binod Chaudhary also praised India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coming forward with assistance during the crisis.