A landslide-dam burst or debris flow can be even faster – in the current floods, the peak surge from Rasuwa reached Triveni, near the Indian border, in about seven-and-a-half hours. India and Nepal do share real-time rainfall and river-level data from a network of stations.
Ah, the joys of monsoon season! While most of us are busy planning our next vacation or binge-watching the latest series, nature has a different agenda in India and Nepal. Heavy rain and storms recently decided to throw a surprise party, but spoiler alert: it’s not the kind of party anyone wants to attend. As rivers rise to dramatic heights, we’re left with a grim tally of lives lost and communities devastated.
In India’s Uttar Pradesh state, the situation has gone from bad to worse. Over the past 48 hours, 15 people have tragically lost their lives due to floods and landslides, with five others injured. That’s right; nature has managed to rain on everyone’s parade, literally! Authorities reported that 117 houses were damaged, which is a polite way of saying that they are now just a pile of bricks and memories.
The rain was so heavy that it recorded a whopping 19 times its normal rainfall in just one day. Yes, you read that correctly—19 times! I mean, who knew Mother Nature had such a flair for the dramatic? 63 districts in Uttar Pradesh were affected, and it’s safe to say that the residents are feeling more than a little dampened.
Meanwhile, just across the border in Nepal, things aren’t looking any brighter. Four people, including three children and a woman, were killed when a landslide decided to play a game of hide-and-seek with their house in Nishi Khola village. Spoiler alert: the house lost. To add to the woes, ten workers went missing after an avalanche buried the base camp of the Himlung Himal, where they were busy setting up tents for foreign climbers. Talk about a bad day at work!
Nepali authorities are sounding the alarm bells, warning of potential flash floods in 49 out of 77 districts. Yes, that’s over half the country! With water levels rising dangerously in major rivers and tributaries, it seems like everyone is on high alert. Shanti Mahat, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, has urged areas previously hit by floods to stay vigilant. I mean, who wouldn’t want to remain on high alert when the water levels are rising like they’re trying to beat the world record?
In a rather ironic twist, the floods have also wreaked havoc on telecommunications in parts of Nepal. It seems that Mother Nature not only has a penchant for destruction but also for ruining our ability to communicate. After all, who needs to call for help when you can just be submerged in water?
Back in India, the Central Water Commission has reported that 30 river-monitoring stations across seven states are in a severe situation. Major rivers like the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, and Narmada are all above danger levels. As if that wasn’t enough, the Rahuganga River has caused damage to the structure and transmission-line towers of a hydropower project. Water Resources and Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha assured the public that a technical team has been mobilized to assess the damage. Because nothing says ‘we care’ like sending in a team after the fact.
So, as we sit in our dry homes, sipping our coffee and scrolling through social media, let’s take a moment to think about the people in India and Nepal who are facing these devastating floods and landslides. It’s a harsh reminder that sometimes, nature has a way of reminding us who’s really in charge. And while we might be rolling our eyes at the rain ruining our plans, there are many who are battling for their lives and homes.
Stay safe out there, everyone, and remember to offer a helping hand to those in need. After all, when it rains, we all need a little sunshine in the form of kindness.
Inspired by: “Floods, landslides kill 15 in India, four in Nepal as rivers rise” (r/News)