As many as 35 children from various districts died in floods and landslides triggered by record-breaking rainfall that began Thursday evening. Many children are also reported missing in these disasters, which have claimed at least 217 lives and injured 143 others.

More than 4,331 others have been taken to safer places, according to Nepal Police headquarters.

The United Nations Children’s Fund said heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in Nepal, affecting thousands of children and their families.

Hundreds of houses have been damaged, displacing thousands of children and families leaving them vulnerable to the elements. In addition, landslides and debris have blocked major roads and hampered critical search and rescue efforts.

The incessant rains, which have lashed down nonstop since September 27, have been among the heaviest Nepal has seen in the past few decades.

“On behalf of UNICEF Nepal, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, including children. Children and young people desperately need support. In addition to losing their homes, we cannot underestimate the trauma children have endured and the mental health support they need. At times like this, girls and boys are ever more vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse,” said UNICEF Representative to Nepal Alice Akunga. “UNICEF is on the ground and working around the clock with the government and partners to reach the most affected children and their families with life-saving supplies and services.”

The impact on children is already being felt. An estimated 13 hospitals have been damaged, and water supply has been widely affected, threatening children’s health and nutrition. Damage to 54 schools has deprived over 10,000 girls and boys of a safe space to learn, play and heal, the UN agency said.

The UN’s children's body said it is working closely with the Nepal government and other humanitarian partners to assess the situation and provide an urgent response. Pre-positioned supplies—including hygiene kits, bed nets, buckets, water purification tablets, and tarpaulin sheets—have been dispatched to children and their families.

“I am deeply worried about the children who will sleep outside tonight and in the coming days; we must act quickly,” said Akunga. “In UNICEF, the Government of Nepal and local partners have a trusted agency that is ready to step up and scale-up the emergency response for every child so that, together, we mitigate the impact of this terrible weather event.”

Meanwhile, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division said it does not have mosquito nets to distribute to the displaced people in makeshift shelters.

“Agencies under the Bagmati Province have requested mosquito nets to distribute to the displaced people, who have been residing under tarpaulin tents in various places,” said Dr Yadu Chandra Ghimire, director at the Division. “But we don’t have such nets in stock.”

Health officials at the Ministry of Health and Population under the Bagmati Province said they are not the agency responsible for distributing mosquito nets.

“We have activated health agencies under the provincial government to step up surveillance measures, but we neither have mosquito nets nor are we the agency to distribute such supplies,” said Dr Khageshwar Gelal, spokesperson at the Bagmati provincial health ministry. “We have asked local bodies if they can do anything about this.”

When asked if the rise in vector-borne disease cases would make health officials responsible, he replied that all concerned agencies must share responsibilities during disasters.

Public health experts have warned that the country is at heightened risk for outbreaks of water-borne, vector-borne, and air-borne diseases.

With most water sources contaminated by rain and floodwaters and thousands of displaced people living in makeshift shelters, experts have warned of a potential surge in infections in the coming days.

Doctors warn that the risk of outbreaks increases in the aftermath of disasters, and Nepal’s past experiences suggest the same.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said that the studies of 10,900 students from 42 schools have been disrupted by damage caused by landslides and floods.