As Nepal’s interim government struggles to find its footing after a wave of nationwide protests toppled the previous administration, a new crisis has emerged: devastating landslides triggered by relentless monsoon rains have killed dozens and displaced thousands across the Himalayan nation.
The disaster struck just weeks after a fragile coalition of political leaders assumed power, leaving the transitional authorities scrambling to coordinate rescue efforts while battling accusations of unpreparedness. Neighboring India has also been hit hard by the same weather system, with flooding reported in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
A Nation in Crisis—Twice Over
Heavy rainfall began pounding Nepal’s mountainous terrain in early October, saturating hillsides and triggering multiple landslides in remote districts like Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa, and Myagdi. In some villages, entire homes were buried under mud and debris overnight, with survivors forced to dig through rubble with bare hands.
“We heard a loud roar, like thunder—but it was the hill collapsing,” said Bina Tamang, a survivor from a village near Dhunche. “My brother and his children are still missing.”
Political Instability Meets Natural Disaster
The timing couldn’t be worse. Nepal’s new interim leaders took office just last month following mass demonstrations against corruption and economic mismanagement. Now, they face their first major test: managing a humanitarian emergency with limited resources and fractured public trust.
Emergency response has been hampered by damaged roads, landslides blocking access routes, and communication blackouts in rural areas. The Nepali Army has deployed helicopters for aerial surveys and supply drops, but aid workers warn that many affected communities remain cut off.
Climate Change or Poor Planning?
While monsoon rains are seasonal, experts say deforestation, unregulated road construction, and haphazard urban development have dramatically increased landslide risk in recent years. “These aren’t just natural disasters—they’re man-made vulnerabilities exposed by rain,” said Dr. Anil Shrestha, a geologist at Tribhuvan University.
With climate models predicting more intense rainfall events in the region, calls are growing for long-term infrastructure reforms and early-warning systems—measures past governments have largely ignored.
