KATHMANDU, Aug 31: This monsoon recorded at least 22 percent less precipitation compared to the average rainfall of the country in previous years. However, despite lesser rainfall, a total of 931 monsoon-related hazards—landslides, floods, heavy rainfall, and lightning—were recorded, which claimed 82 lives and left 22 people missing.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported that 167 people were injured due to these incidents and a total of 4,618 families were affected.
There were a total of 215 flood incidents, leading to 27 deaths, 22 people missing, and 10 injuries. Floods affected 1,667 families.
Monsoon rainfall predicted to be less than average this year
In the same period, 321 landslides occurred, resulting in 18 deaths and 28 injuries. Landslides affected 481 families.
Similarly, 266 cases of heavy rainfall were recorded, which caused 6 deaths and 12 injuries, affecting 711 families.
There were 258 lightning incidents, leading to 31 deaths and 193 injuries, with 317 families impacted.
Despite such a staggering number of these incidents, a total of 900 mm of rainfall was recorded across the country this year. This is 22 percent less than the country’s average rainfall of 1,156 mm.
The data shows a clear picture of how ill-prepared Nepal is in disaster management and early warning systems, as well as how it has failed to adapt to resilient development. Anil Adhikari, former chairman of NDRRMA told Republica that Nepal got a little lucky this year due to the lesser precipitation.
“Had Nepal faced similar flooding and landslides as in recent events in neighboring India and Pakistan (flooding in Uttarakhand and the Swat River), our condition would not have been any different from previous years,” Adhikari said.
The number of monsoon hazards this year is almost half compared to similar incidents last year. In 2024, a total of 1,587 monsoon hazards (floods, landslides, heavy rain, and lightning) were recorded, which claimed 227 lives, left 47 people missing, injured 295, and affected 4,618 families.
