Heavy rains hit Nepal between Thursday and Saturday, causing havoc in several areas of the country, particularly around Kathmandu, where the Bagmati River has breached its banks.
The Home Ministry stated that 192 people are confirmed dead. An additional 30 are missing and 4,500 have needed rescue. Landslides and flooded rivers have blocked several major highways.
Even local kayakers have helped rescue stranded Nepalis. Photo: Nepal Banda
Airport remains open
Tourists planning to visit Nepal in the next few days may need patience. Airports remain open but with some restrictions, so international flights may be delayed or rescheduled.
Nepal floods have torn away bridges and destroyed roads. Photo: Kiran Joshi/X
Climbers and trekkers may also face difficulties, such as washed-out roads and delayed helicopter flights. Many helicopters are currently busy rescuing stranded locals. In the Kathmandu Valley alone, roads were blocked or damaged in 57 places, the Rising Nepal Daily reported today. Would-be trekkers should ask their outfitters for updated information about the state of the trails.
Sun returns…
The good news is the rains stopped on Sunday. Yousef Al-Nassar of Kuwait sent these two videos of Namche Bazaar on Saturday after 48 hours of nonstop rain and in yesterday’s sunshine.
Like many other climbers in the area, Al-Nassar left town today for the mountains. He intends to reach base camp at Kyajo Ri (6,186m) on the Tibetan border tomorrow.
“I hope I don’t find a disastrous situation when I get there,” he said.
Al-Nassar told ExplorersWeb that he will climb on his own and attempt a new route up the south face of the mountain.
