Deadly Floods Ravage Nepal: Dozens Perish Amid Torrential Downpours

Heavy rains have killed 42 people across Nepal since Friday, triggering deadly landslides and floods that highlight the country's vulnerability during monsoon season. Five others remain missing as rescue teams continue their search efforts.

Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for Nepal's National Emergency Operations Center, confirmed the death toll Sunday. The casualties came from various rain-related disasters that struck different parts of the mountainous nation over the weekend.

Nepal faces this deadly pattern every year during monsoon season, which typically runs from June through September. The country's steep terrain and fragile geology make it particularly prone to landslides when heavy rains saturate the soil. Rural communities often bear the brunt of these disasters, with limited early warning systems and evacuation routes.

The timing couldn't be worse for Nepal's economy, which relies heavily on agriculture and tourism. Monsoon floods regularly destroy crops and damage infrastructure, while landslides can cut off remote villages for weeks. The government has been working to improve disaster preparedness, but the mountainous geography makes it challenging to protect all vulnerable areas.

Climate change has made these seasonal disasters more unpredictable and intense. Weather patterns that once followed reliable cycles now bring sudden, extreme rainfall that overwhelms the country's drainage systems and natural defenses.