Monsoon-driven floods and landslides have devastated large swathes of Nepal over the past week, leaving scores dead and more than 4,000 people unaccounted for. Torrential rains triggered sudden river swells and hillside collapses, sweeping away homes, roads and bridges across the central and eastern regions.
Scale of the Disaster
- Authorities report at least 80 confirmed fatalities and dozens injured.
- Over 4,000 residents remain missing, many believed trapped under debris or washed downstream.
- More than 15,000 people have been displaced, seeking shelter in makeshift camps and schools.
Ongoing Rescue Operations
Nepal’s National Emergency Response Centre has mobilized army personnel, police and local volunteers for search-and-rescue missions. Helicopters and boats are being deployed to reach isolated villages cut off by landslides, while medical teams work to treat injuries and prevent waterborne diseases in relief camps.
Three Dutch Nationals Still Missing
Three Dutch nationals are among those unaccounted for, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed. Consular staff in Kathmandu are coordinating with Nepalese authorities and local NGOs to trace their whereabouts and support their families.
International Assistance Arrives
Several aid agencies, including the International Red Cross and the United Nations, have dispatched emergency supplies—blankets, clean water and food rations—to the hardest-hit districts. Rescue dogs, drones and satellite imagery are also being used to speed up the search for survivors.
Weather Forecast and Risks Ahead
Meteorologists warn that heavy downpours are likely to continue over the next 72 hours, raising the risk of fresh floods and landslides. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to relocate to higher ground and follow evacuation orders.
Appeal for Information
Relief agencies and the Dutch embassy are calling on anyone with news of the missing Dutch citizens or of other unreported victims to come forward. A hotline has been set up in Kathmandu, while local community centres are registering displaced families to better coordinate aid delivery.