Monsoon Intensifies Across Nepal; Authorities on High Alert for Floods and Landslides

Kathmandu-Government agencies across Nepal have been placed on high alert as the monsoon system becomes active nationwide, with forecasts predicting worsening weather conditions.

The Armed Police Force (APF) has identified high-risk areas and established 54 temporary monsoon response bases and 16 permanent disaster management bases across the country. To improve disaster communication and rescue efforts, the APF has also launched the APF Community Alert System mobile app and is operating a 1114 emergency hotline.

The Nepal Army has introduced a three-phase disaster preparedness plan. Bailey bridges have been placed on standby in Dhading, Chitwan, and Bara, while helicopters have been pre-positioned in Itahari and Surkhet to support emergency response operations.

According to Nepal Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet, the military aims to strengthen disaster response by mobilizing community volunteers. Authorities have urged the public to closely follow weather forecasts and immediately report any disaster-related incidents to the nearest police station or local disaster management committee.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Infrastructure Development Committee and Member of Parliament Ashish Gajurel said Nepal’s scattered settlement pattern makes disaster management particularly challenging. He stressed the need to equip local governments with greater resources and capacity to respond effectively.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), since mid-April (Baisakh), floods have claimed six lives, while windstorms have killed 13 people, landslides have caused five deaths, and heavy rainfall has resulted in three fatalities.

The NDRRMA has warned that some areas are likely to experience torrential rainfall today and tomorrow, urging residents to remain highly vigilant and take necessary safety precautions.