Severe flooding hit Kathmandu, Nepal, after three days of relentless rain, causing the Bagmati River to swell and wreak havoc on the city. With almost half of its annual rainfall received in just two days, the capital witnessed at least 73 fatalities, with the national death toll rising to over 200. The government faced criticism for slow rescue efforts, attributed to a lack of adequate resources.
The historic city of Patan and surrounding areas also suffered significant damage, highlighting the impact of overdevelopment on natural disaster resilience. Unplanned urbanization and poor drainage systems exacerbated the flooding, reflecting broader challenges of infrastructure planning and governance in the region.
Anarchic urbanization
Rapid urban expansion in Kathmandu, fueled by rural migration and inadequate planning, further exacerbated the flood’s impact. Climate change and poor land management practices worsened the situation, underscoring the need for sustainable urban development and disaster preparedness measures.