Deadly Landslides and Floods Devastate Nepal 22 Killed,22 Killed, Dozens Missing as Officials Warn of More Severe Rainfall

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Kathmandu, October 6, 2025 (AP) – At least 22 people have been killed and 12 reported missing in Nepal after landslides, lightning strikes, and flooding struck multiple regions of the country following days of heavy rainfall, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The eastern mountain district of Illam was the worst affected, where entire villages were swept away by landslides. Police spokesman Binod Ghimire said 18 deaths were confirmed in Illam alone, while seven others remain missing. Among the victims were six members of a single family, crushed in their sleep when a landslide destroyed their home.

Assistant administrative officer Bholanath Guragai noted that rescue operations are being severely hampered by continuous rain and blocked roads. “Helicopters from the central government are urgently needed for medical evacuations,” he added.

In separate incidents, three people were killed by lightning in another district, while one person died in flooding in southern Nepal. Authorities say more than 114 people have been rescued so far.

The government has issued a severe rainfall warning for eastern and central Nepal through Monday, urging residents to remain cautious. Major highways linking Kathmandu with other regions have been shut down due to landslides or as a precautionary measure. Domestic flights, grounded on Saturday because of poor visibility, have since resumed.

The disaster comes just as hundreds of thousands of Nepalis were returning to the capital after celebrating Dashain, the country’s biggest festival. Roads were heavily congested on Sunday as people attempted to travel despite closures and flooding.

In Kathmandu, some riverside neighborhoods experienced flooding, though no major casualties were reported. The government has declared a national holiday until Monday due to the extreme weather.

Nepal is highly prone to monsoon-related disasters. Around the same time last year, floods and landslides killed 224 people and injured more than 150. The current heavy rains, arriving at the tail end of the monsoon season, highlight the country’s continued vulnerability to climate-linked disasters.