Floods claim over 100 lives

Over 100 people have died following severe flooding in Nepal. It is said to be the worst rainfall in decades.

From the estimated over 100 fatalities reported so far, more than half have been reported in the capital Kathmandu and neighbouring districts. Several people are also still missing.

The devastating rainfall in the Himalayan country began late on Thursday, 26th September. Kathmandu valley recorded 240 mm of rainfall in 24 hours.

Entire neighbourhoods have been submerged, with flash floods reported. Local media are talking about the worst rainfall in decades. While the rainfall itself has halted for now, flood waters are still continuing to rise.

The annually recurring monsoon rains are the cause of the floods. This is a large-scale air circulation in the tropics that changes direction roughly every six months.

When monsoon winds bring perpetual rain, it is called monsoon rain. The monsoon usually lasts from June to September in South Asia and accounts for 70 - 80% of the annual rainfall.