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Heavy rain causes flooding in Kathmandu

Updates • Nepal • Oct 2024

In late September, torrential rain at the end of the monsoon season triggered severe flooding and landslides in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu and the surrounding valley, causing over 200 fatalities.

Communities living in informal squatter settlements on the riverbank have been hit hardest by the floods, which are a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by those living on the front lines of climate change.

Biso Bajracharya, Executive Director for Toybox local partner, SathSath, shared the following update from Kathmandu:

"The slum areas were completely submerged in water as a result of the heavy rainfall. The majority of residents have experienced substantial financial loss as a result of the river's destruction of almost all of their furniture and belongings. The houses in the slums, (which are predominantly made of wood and truss construction), have sustained heavy damage.

During a visit on 29 September, SathSath staff saw residents from the slums removing water from their homes and attempting to repair them. All roads and residences were blocked by the mud from the landslides, which obstructed the movement of individuals. Community members were taking their remaining furniture and clothing from their houses to the street in order to dry them. The majority of individuals in the neighborhoods were submerged in mud and water. Children from the slums were assisting their parents in the cleaning process. Some of them were drying themselves by laying down in the sun. All food items and school supplies were also damaged - some were covered in mud and others swept away.

According to the feedback from the slum residents, the flood was particularly severe this time and ranked among the largest in the past decade. In the past, floods were limited to the ground level; however, this time, they reached the first floor. The majority of residents in the slum areas reside in houses on the ground and first floors. Residents were able to escape by climbing onto their roofs to reach higher gound, where they were later rescued by the police, arriving in boats.

Community members expressed their sadness as they saw their belongings being swept away by the flood. The water also washed away the money they had saved throughout the year to celebrate the festival of Dashain."

Toybox Programme Manager for Africa and Asia, Smita Khanijow, shares;

"The rain and subsequent destruction have led to multiple challenges. At present, the valley is almost cut off from main roads and it is thought this may affect supplies to people in coming weeks if the highways are not cleared up. The rivers are overflowing and the communities settled on and around river beds are hugely affected. Wherever water is receding, sanitation is emerging as a big issue.

Toybox local partner SathSath are currently taking stock of the situation on the ground by visiting the project sites, speaking with project participants and local stakeholders. During this process they have already identified the need for counselling, education materials and health support.

Once the rains have receded, our focus at Toybox will be on helping the communities to resettle and provide education materials to children in street situtations so that they can go back to school."

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