Incessant rainfall, which wreaked devastation across the country since Friday, is likely to continue for next few days.

Heavy rains will continue to batter the eastern and the western regions for a few more days while light to moderate rainfall is expected in other parts of the country, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DoHM).

Weather officials have also issued flood warnings in the rivers of Jhapa, Ilam, Sunsari, Morang, Saptari, Udaypur, Dhankuta, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Parsa, Bara, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur. A DoHM bulletin said rivers like Mechi, Ninda, Biring, Kankai, Pathari, Triyuga, Budhi Khola, Bagmati, East Rapti, West Rapti, Babai, Riu Khola, Binay Khola, Arun Khola, Tinau and Banganga. Similarly, Machheli, 

Mohana and Babai are at the extreme risk of flood till Sunday. Settlements close to these rivers have been alerted about possible floods while their inhabitants have been advised to remain safe.

Flood threats in major rivers like Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Mahakali remained relatively low as of Saturday evening. 

Cloudburst, a phenomenon where extreme precipitation occurs in a short period, is said to have caused the water levels in rivers to rise suddenly in past two days.

“Cloudbursts are generally dangerous as you get very high amount of rain in a short period, causing slope failure, debris flow and high floods, said Madhukar Upadhyay, a watershed practitioner and climate change expert. 

“And since our preparedness level is below average, chances of casualties and damage of infrastructure are high during cloudbursts.”

The Home Ministry has instructed the concerned authorities in all flood-affected districts to strengthen their level of preparedness and expedite emergency rescue and relief operations.

Home Minister Janardan Sharma held a press briefing on Saturday concerning the events of floods witnessed by different parts of the country since Friday.

He said that emergency relief materials were kept on standby for distribution in the flood-affected areas.

Concerned authorities and security agencies have also been directed to promptly carry out rescue and rehabilitation where needed, the home minister added. 

Krishna Hari Acharya, chief of National Emergency Operation Centre under the Home Ministry, said emergency meetings of District Disaster Relief Committees were held in districts affected by floods to coordinate rescue and relief works. 

“All three security agencies have also been instructed to carry out rescue works in the flood-hit areas,” he added.

Torrential downpur floods parts of Lalitpur 

KATHMANDU: Daily life was hit in different parts of Lalitpur due to floods caused by torrential rain on Saturday. Floodwaters from the Karmanasa stream entered some areas in Dhapakhel.

The premises of Kathmandu University’s School of Arts and School of Education in Hattiban were also flooded.  Some homes at Bharkhel, Bhardeu and Maltar in Konjohom Rural Municipality were also waterlogged. 

Nakhu area was also flooded. Chief District Officer Rajkumar Shrestha said there was no major damage in the flood. Daily life, however, was greatly inconvenienced, he added.