Kathmandu, 28 September (H.S.): At least 21 people have been killed in floods, landslides and other rain-related incidents across Nepal over the past few days, officials said on Sunday, as heavy rainfall triggered fresh flooding, damaged houses and disrupted road traffic in several parts of the country.

Five people were killed after a landslide buried a house in Mathagadhi Rural Municipality of Palpa district on Saturday night. Their bodies were recovered on Sunday morning. Separately, 16 people were killed in floods, landslides, lightning and other rain-related incidents over the preceding four days, taking the toll to 21.

Nepal recorded 439 monsoon-related incidents over the past five days, while security personnel rescued 1,284 people affected by floods, landslides and inundation.

In Rupandehi district of Lumbini province, floodwaters from the Tinau River swept away six houses along the riverbank in Butwal on Saturday night after the river crossed its danger level. Around 200 houses were at risk, prompting security personnel to evacuate about 1,000 people overnight as the Tinau and nearby streams swelled following continued rainfall.

In Chitwan district, the Narayani River and Riu stream crossed their danger levels early Sunday. The Narayani reached 9.23 metres at Devghat, above its danger level of 9 metres, while the Riu rose to 3.92 metres against its danger mark of 3.8 metres.

Heavy rain also triggered landslides and mudslides in several parts of Chitwan, blocking roads. Landslides also disrupted traffic along highways in Karnali province.

On Saturday, flooding from the Narayani and Saptakoshi rivers inundated 389 houses in Nawalparasi West and Saptari districts, forcing hundreds of families to move to safer locations.

Authorities have urged people living in flood- and landslide-prone areas to remain alert as rainfall continues.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar