Nepal schools close after deadly floods, landslides kill 129
The Kathmandu Valley’s haphazard infrastructure development has amplified climate change risks in Nepal, locals believe
Nepal has shut schools for three days after landslides and floods triggered by two days of heavy rain across the Himalayan nation killed 129 people, with 62 missing, officials said on Sunday.
The floods brought traffic and normal activity to a standstill in the Kathmandu Valley, where 37 deaths were recorded in a region home to 4 million people and the capital.
Authorities said students and their parents faced difficulties as university and school buildings damaged by the rains needed repair.
“We have urged the concerned authorities to close schools in the affected areas for three days,” said Lakshmi Bhattarai, a spokesperson for the education ministry.
Some parts of the capital reported rain of up to 322.2mm (12.7 inches), pushing the level of its main Bagmati river up 2.2m (7ft) past the danger mark, experts said.
But there were some signs of respite on Sunday morning, with the rains easing in many places, said Govinda Jha, a weather forecaster in the capital.
“There may be some isolated showers, but heavy rains are unlikely,” he said.
