Uttarakhand: At least 46 killed in floods in Himalayan state

At least 46 people have died in flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Images and videos from the state show flooded roads, submerged homes and fallen bridges.

Experts say the Himalayan state, a popular tourist spot, is seeing the effects of both climate change and rampant construction.

Floods have also ravaged the southern state of Kerala, where at least 26 people have died in recent days.

Both states have recorded excessive rainfall this year, according to data from India's weather department. Kerala, for instance, recorded 453.5mm rainfall as opposed to the 192.7mm that is considered normal during this time of the year.

Uttarakhand, which normally sees up to 30.5mm rainfall in October, recorded 122.4mm in the last 24 hours alone. But weather officials have said there is likely to be a "significant reduction in rainfall" from Tuesday.

Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that so far 64 people have been killed in the Uttarakhand floods and more than 11 were still missing.

Mr. Shah, who took an aerial survey of the flood-affected region in the hill State, said that 535 people have been rescued and more than 16,000 people evacuated.

He said due to the timely weather warning by the Centre, the State government prepared better and many lives could be saved.

The Home Minister said 80% of the phone lines had been restored but some roads had been completely washed away.

At Least 88 Dead as Heavy Rains Trigger Flash Floods, Landslides in Nepal

© Reuters
At least 88 people lost their lives in the recent incidents of flood, landslides and inundation that hit different parts of Nepal.

At least 88 people have died across Nepal over the past three days due to flash floods and landslides triggered by incessant heavy rains, health ministry officials said. The death toll rose to 88 on Thursday after 11 more fatalities were reported from various parts of the country, officials said. As many as 63 people died on Wednesday, while the death toll was 14 on Tuesday, they said.

Thirty people have gone missing in the recent incidents of flood, landslides, and inundation so far, according to the latest data published by the ministry's Disaster Management Division.

Panchthar, a district in eastern Nepal, recorded the highest number of deaths at 27, followed by 13 each in Ilam and Doti districts. Fatalities were also reported from 15 other districts, including Kalikot, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Bajhang, Humla, Solukhumbu, Pyuthan, Dhankuta, Morang, Sunsari and Udayapur.

The natural disaster hit 20 districts of Nepal. In Bajhang district, 21 people have gone missing. However, weather conditions have started improving from Thursday, the officials said.

Disaster authorities in Nepal report that dozens of people have died or are missing after heavy rain caused floods and landslides over the last few days.

The country's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) reported heavy rain from around 16 October. In 24 hours to 18 October, Jogbudha in Dadeldhura district recorded 168.8 mm of rain. In the following 24 hours Sahu Khark in Dadeldhura district saw 361.0 mm and a total of 502.2 mm across a 48 hour period. Over the last 24 hour period to 20 October Tarahara in Sunsari district recorded 398.2 mm of rain. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the rain was falling on slopes already saturated by higher than average 2021 monsoon rain.

PM Deuba inspects flood-hit regions in Nepal, death toll rises to 111

Nepal prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his cabinet colleagues on Friday visited western Nepal - part of the Himalayan nation hardest hit by the floods and landslides - to take stock of the situation and ensure relief measures are being implemented.

The death toll from the flooding triggered by heavy rains in the country climbed to 111 on Friday, with at least 32 reportedly being injured and 35 still missing, officials said.

Deuba, finance minister Janardan Sharma, minister for tourism and civil aviation, Prem Ale Magar among others, visited Kailari rural municipality, Bhajani municipality, Tikapur municipality and Janaki rural municipality of Kailali district, situated in the western part of the country.

"As floods, landslides and inundation have resulted in a huge loss of lives and properties the government is carrying out immediate relief and rescue works," Deuba said.

He added that the government would carry out plans to resolve issues related to flood and inundation on a long-term basis.

The natural disaster has also caused widespread destruction of crops and properties.

According to data released by the ministry of agriculture, the floods have damaged up to 2,59,000 metric tonnes of rice in Lumbini province, Sudur Paschim province and Province 1, causing losses to the tune of NPR 7.22 billion.