KATHMANDU (Reuters) -Nepal has shut schools for three days due to the impact of Nepal heavy rains. Landslides and floods from these rains killed 129 people, and officials reported 62 missing. #NepalHeavyRains
The floods halted traffic and normal activities in the Kathmandu valley. Officials recorded 37 deaths in this region, which is home to 4 million people.
Authorities said students and their parents faced difficulties as university and school buildings damaged by the rains needed repair.
“We have urged the concerned authorities to close schools in the affected areas for three days,” Lakshmi Bhattarai, a spokesperson for the education ministry, told Reuters.
Some areas of the capital received up to 322.2 mm (12.7 inches) of rain. This rainfall caused the Bagmati River to rise 2.2 m (7 ft) above the danger mark.
But there were some signs of respite on Sunday morning, with the rains easing in many places, said Govinda Jha, a weather forecaster in the capital.
“There may be some isolated showers, but heavy rains are unlikely,” he said.
Television images captured police rescuers in knee-high rubber boots clearing mud at the landslide site. They retrieved 16 bodies from two buses swept away on a key route into Kathmandu.
Weather officials in the capital attributed the rainstorms to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal near Nepal and India.
Climate scientists at ICIMOD state that haphazard development increases climate change risks in Nepal.
“I’ve never before seen flooding on this scale in Kathmandu,” said Arun Bhakta Shrestha, an environmental risk official at the centre.
The statement urged the government and city planners to urgently invest in and plan for infrastructure. This includes underground stormwater and sewage systems, both engineered and nature-based types. #NepalHeavyRains
Prioritizing Safety: School Closures Amid the Nepal Heavy Rains Crisis
In response to the increasing dangers, officials made the difficult decision to close schools. This action aims to protect students and staff from potential hazards associated with flooding. Consequently, many parents express concern but understand the necessity of prioritizing safety during these challenging times.
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