Record rains hit Nepal’s Kanchanpur
Image credit: NOAA-21/VIIRS, The Watchers. Acquired on July 7, 2024
Kanchanpur district in Nepal experienced severe flooding after record-breaking rains on July 8, 2024. This was the heaviest rainfall for the region in the past 78 years, with some regions crossing the 600 mm (23.62 inch) mark. The flooding caused 4 deaths and 1 person was reported missing.
Kanchanpur district in Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal, was hit by severe flooding between July 8 and July 10 after the region experienced the highest rainfall in the past 78 years.
In just 24 hours, 624 mm (24.6 inches) was registered in Dodhara, 573.6 mm (22.6 inches) in Hanumannagar, and 555.8 mm (21.9 inches) in Sundarpur.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) confirmed that this rainfall is the highest since 1946, surpassing previous records, including 516.2 mm (20.3 inches) in Hetauda, Makwanpur on August 13, 2017, and 540 mm (21.3 inches) at the Tistung Rain Center, Makwanpur on July 20, 1993.
Continuous rain for two days caused most areas of Kanchanpur to flood, with significant disruptions to transportation. On July 8, floods washed out a culvert in Suda, Bedkot Municipality, disrupting traffic along the East-West Highway. The water level in the Mahakali River remained high throughout the day, contributing to the severe flooding in the district.
According to the Mahakali Basin Field Office in Attariya, part of the DHM, Kanchanpur recorded 573 mm (22.6 inches) of rainfall in the last 24 hours, the highest in the country.
Four young girls drowned in the flooding on July 8 in Ratokhali, Punarbas Municipality Ward 5, as they attempted to cross a flooded road in their village. According to Superintendent of Police Chakraraj Joshi, two of the four have been confirmed dead, one was rescued, and one is missing.
Earlier, on July 7, seven-month-old Sonu Dhanuk of Krishnapur Municipality-1 Pahariya drowned when a flood entered her house, and 23-year-old Dambar Chaudhary of Baibah, Beldandi Rural Municipality-3 went missing after being swept away by the flood of the Chaudhary River.
Approximately 900 families have been displaced by the floods. As of July 8, 3 293 people from 891 houses had been relocated to safety. Displaced families are seeking refuge in ward offices and schools, as their homes have been flooded.
The severe downpour and subsequent flooding caused widespread damage across the district, affecting transportation, housing, and the safety of residents.
Pratibha Manandhar, a senior meteorologist at the DHM, stated that the monsoon, which was active in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces until two days ago, is now active in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Lumbini, and Gandaki provinces.
References:
1 Record rainfall, 573mm in 24 hours, in Kanchanpur causes catastrophic flooding – Malaysia Sun – July 10, 2024
2 Two teenage girls drowned, one missing in Kanchanpur – THT – July 8, 2024
3 Kanchanpur district records highest rainfall in 78 years – My Republica – July 10, 2024
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