Landslides and floods in Nepal have caused death and destruction in several districts over the past few days.

Landslide in Rukum

A monsoon-related update from our partner Asal Chhimekee Nepal (ACN) earlier this week (16th July) included news about these incidents:

• The western part of Nepal has already received around 16 inches of rain, and it is forecast to be much above average by September this year.
• In Kaski district (which includes Pokhara, where INF Nepal and ACN are based) 14 people have died in landslides, and around 60 families are displaced.
• Kailali and Kanchanpur districts in the western part of Nepal have been hit by a flood that has worsened the lives of people in disadvantaged communities. People have lost houses, crops, livestock, food, and clothes.
• Two buses traveling at night on 12^th July were pulled by a landslide off the road and into a river, with 65 people losing their lives.
• Three people died after a landslide swept away a house in Rukum West on 16^th This district was also the centre of the earthquake last November, where people still living under temporary shelters are also struggling with the monsoon conditions.

Overall, since mid-June 126 people have died in landslides, plus 65 people are missing and 259 people have been injured. 2,986 families have been affected, and 171 household have been displaced.

Monsoon in Nepal

Seti river floods a slum in Kaski

Sadly, the worst may still be to come. Nepal’s monsoon season sees 80% of its annual rainfall in the space of 3 months between June and September. While rain at this time of year is vital for growing crops, monsoon is becoming increasingly dangerous and unpredictable, especially with the impacts of climate change.

In total, it has been predicted that this year’s monsoon will impact about 1.8 million Nepalis.

Disadvantaged communities are often the most vulnerable to natural disasters caused by monsoon rains. Particular areas of concern are the flood-prone Terai plains near the border with India, which have Nepal’s highest levels of extreme poverty. In other districts, the most disadvantaged communities are often located on hillsides which are vulnerable to the risks of landslides after heavy rain.

Emergency relief in action

Our partners respond in Kaski district

ACN is preparing to help 2,000 families over the next few weeks. They plan to deliver 1,500 food and hygiene packages, as well as helping 500 new mothers.

ACN is the social action arm of the Pokhara Christian Community and has vast experience of helping the poorest communities which face the greatest risks from natural disasters.

They have already been helping people in Kaski district. ACN and INF Nepal jointly provided 36 tarps, blankets, and mattresses to the displaced families in Puranchaur, where a whole family was killed in a landslide.

ACN is also developing plans to submit to the Government of Nepal’s Social Welfare Council to provide emergency relief in other locations.