Nepal Halts Schools Amid Floods and Landslides After Torrential Rains Leave 151 Dead

Nepal halted schools for three days after heavy rains triggered floods and landslides, killing 151 people and leaving 56 missing. The floods caused significant damage and brought life to a standstill in Kathmandu. Weather officials link the rainstorms to a low-pressure system impacting neighboring India.

Nepal has closed schools for three days after landslides and floods caused by two days of intense rain left 151 people dead and 56 missing, according to officials on Sunday.

The floods immobilized traffic and normal activities in the Kathmandu valley, home to 4 million people, resulting in 37 deaths in the area.

Authorities have urged repairs on damaged educational buildings and urged schools in affected areas to close for three days.

Parts of the capital saw up to 322.2 mm (12.7 inches) of rain, elevating the Bagmati river to dangerous levels. Rescues showed slight improvement with rain easing on Sunday.

Police used picks and shovels to retrieve bodies from two buses swept away by landslides. Weather officials cited a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal and haphazard development for amplifying climate risks.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development urged urgent investment in 'grey' and 'green' infrastructure to manage climate change impacts.

A poor drainage system, unplanned urbanization, and construction on floodplains worsened the flooding, but levels in the Koshi river have started to recede.

(With inputs from agencies.)