More than two dozen people have died and many others are still missing due to flooding caused by incessant monsoon rains in the Rapti and Babai rivers in the western Tarai districts of Banke and Bardia. Landslides have claimed at least ten lives in Accham and swept away houses in Bajura district as well. The rain which fell continuously from Friday evening till Sunday morning inundated large parts of the western Tarai completely cutting off villages and stalling rescue efforts by the administration, army, police and the Red Cross. Rescue teams have only been able to reach some of the affected areas from where at least 1650 people were evacuated to higher grounds according to the Home Ministry. Food and water have also been distributed. The entire scale of damage is not known as thousands have been displaced by the flood and are waiting for relief. This has been the largest rainfall in the area in the last two decades.

Home Minister Krishna Situala who returned to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj after inspecting the landslide hit district of Accham with parliamentarians from the area and journalists, chaired an emergency meeting of the Central Disaster Relief Committee on Monday. The meeting decided to release Rs 1 million each for Banke and Bardia to expedite rescue efforts and send in the necessary supplies. The district administration, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and the Red Cross are coordinating rescue efforts.