14 killed in landslides triggered by incessant rain in Nepal

Kathmandu – At least **14 people have been killed** after **landslides triggered by relentless rainfall** struck Nepal’s **Ilam district**, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.

Nepal has been experiencing **heavy rainfall since Friday**, leading to widespread **landslides, floods, and waterlogging** across several parts of the country. However, Ilam — which shares a border with **Darjeeling, India** — has suffered the highest number of casualties so far.

**Sunita Nepal**, Chief District Officer of Ilam, told **IANS** that the landslides **buried three houses** on Saturday night, resulting in 14 confirmed deaths.

“As more houses have been damaged in the district, the death toll might rise,” she said, adding that the **District Administration Office (DAO)** has requested **detailed damage reports** from local governments within Ilam.

The DAO reported that **three consecutive days of rainfall** have caused not only loss of life but also **severe damage to public infrastructure**, including major roads. The **Mechi Highway**, connecting Ilam with **Jhapa district** in southern Nepal, has been **blocked at multiple points** due to landslides.

According to the **Department of Hydrology and Meteorology**, while rainfall intensity **eased slightly by Sunday morning**, the **highest precipitation** was recorded in parts of **Lalitpur district** within the **Kathmandu Valley**.

“Light rain is still occurring in some parts of Kathmandu, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, and Ramechhap districts,” the department stated, warning that **heavy rainfall could persist** in the **hilly districts of eastern Koshi Province** later on Sunday.

Despite some improvement, **landslides have disrupted transportation** across several regions, with key highways either partially or fully blocked.

The **Metropolitan Traffic Police Division** said the **government has continued its ban** on vehicle entry and exit from **Kathmandu Valley**, as major highways — including the **Prithvi Highway**, **BP Highway**, and **Araniko Highway** — remain **completely obstructed**. The **Pasang Lhamu**, **Koshi**, and **Siddhicharan highways** have also been **fully blocked**.

Due to ongoing risks, **long-distance transportation services** from five of Nepal’s seven provinces — **Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini** — have been **temporarily suspended**, the police division said in a post on social media.

In a **video address** on Saturday evening, **Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki** urged citizens to **stay indoors** and **avoid unnecessary travel** as the country grapples with severe weather conditions.

She assured that the **government is mobilising all available resources** to protect lives and provide relief during the ongoing natural disaster.

With inputs from IANS