Nepal Closes Schools Amid Severe Flooding That Claims Over 150 Lives

Nepal has suspended classes for three days following devastating landslides and floods caused by two days of heavy rain, resulting in 151 fatalities and 56 individuals reported missing, Reuters reported yesterday.

The floods severely disrupted normal activities in the Kathmandu valley, where 37 deaths were recorded.

Education Ministry spokesperson Lakshmi Bhattarai announced the closure, citing damage to school infrastructure. Some areas experienced rainfall of up to 322.2 mm (12.7 inches), causing the Bagmati river to rise 2.2 m (7 ft) above the danger mark.

While the rains eased on Sunday, weather officials warned of potential isolated showers. Rescuers have been working tirelessly to recover bodies from landslides, including 16 victims from two buses. Experts attribute the flooding to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, exacerbated by poor urban planning and drainage issues. The Koshi river’s levels are now decreasing, providing some relief to the affected regions.