Continuous rainfall has wreaked havoc across eastern Nepal since Saturday night, leading to floods and landslides that killed at least 51 people, officials confirmed on Sunday.

The worst-hit region is Ilam district in Koshi province, where 37 people died in multiple landslides over two days. According to Kalidas Dhaubaji, spokesperson for the Armed Police Force (APF), “The losses have been severe in Ilam, with several villages buried under debris.”

Deaths Reported from Several Areas

In Ilam district, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) reported that fatalities were spread across multiple municipalities. Eight people each died in Deumai and Maijogmai, six each in Ilam municipality and Sandakpur rural municipality, five in Suryodaya, three in Mangsebung, and one in Fakfokthum.

Elsewhere in Koshi province, two people died in Udayapur and one in Panchthar. In Rautahat, a lightning strike killed three people, while two others died in Khotang. Authorities also confirmed six deaths in a Panchthar road accident caused by road damage from heavy rainfall.

Search Operations Underway

Rescue teams are still searching for missing people. Four individuals were swept away by a swollen river in Langtang Conservation Area in Rasuwa district. One person each remains missing in Ilam, Bara, and Kathmandu.

Among 16 trekkers stranded in the Langtang area, officials said four are still missing. The Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and APF personnel have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.

Authorities rescued four people, including a pregnant woman, from Ilam using helicopters and shifted them to a hospital in Dharan municipality.

Heavy Monsoon Activity in Several Provinces

The monsoon is currently active in five of Nepal’s seven provinces — Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini. Officials have warned that heavy rains may continue in the coming days and urged people in vulnerable regions to move to safer areas.

Roads Reopen as Weather Improves

Some improvement in weather was recorded on Sunday, with less rainfall in Kathmandu Valley compared to the previous days. The NDRRMA said several road blockages caused by landslides had been cleared on national highways.

A new directive now allows emergency and goods transport vehicles to operate, along with short-distance passenger vehicles, depending on road conditions and local coordination.

However, the government has restricted night travel on risky roads until further notice to avoid accidents.

Earlier, on Saturday, authorities had restricted entry and exit of vehicles from Kathmandu for three days due to heavy rain and landslide threats. A red alert was also issued for regions near the Bagmati and East Rapti rivers.

Air Travel Disrupted

Bad weather has also affected domestic air travel. Flights from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu were halted due to poor visibility and continuous rain.

India Offers Support to Nepal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and offered help to Nepal in a social media post, saying, “The loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing. We stand with the people and Government of Nepal in this difficult time.”

He added, “As a friendly neighbour and first responder, India remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required.”

Ongoing Relief Operations

Rescue and relief teams continue to work across affected districts to evacuate residents, restore road access, and distribute essential supplies. Officials said they are monitoring weather developments closely as the monsoon remains active.

The disaster has once again highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, especially during the monsoon season when mountainous terrain increases the risk of landslides and flash floods.