In Nepal, what began as days of heavy rain has turned into a national tragedy.
At least 44 people have been killed and five others are missing after torrential downpours triggered landslides, lightning strikes, and flash floods across the country, officials said.
The eastern mountain district of Illam—famous for its tea gardens—was hit hardest.
“Whole villages were swept away,” said Bholanath Guragai, an assistant administrative officer.
He described how a single landslide wiped out a family of six as they slept.
With roads washed out and hillsides collapsing, rescue teams are struggling to reach remote areas.
Floods Stranding Many
Helicopters are airlifting the injured while troops wade through mud to move survivors to safety.
Major highways remain blocked, and domestic flights were grounded for much of the weekend.
The timing couldn’t be worse — tens of thousands are trying to return home after Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival.
In neighboring districts, lightning killed three people, and floods swept away three more in the south.
Neighboring India has offered aid. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted: “We stand with the people and Government of Nepal in this difficult time.”
The disaster strikes just as Nepal’s monsoon season winds down.
It’s a grim reminder that in the Himalayas, nature doesn’t always stick to the calendar.
