A moderate rainfall on Monday afternoon triggered a significant flood disaster in Kavre, resulting in the disappearance of one woman and damage to roads and other physical infrastructure.
Efforts are underway to reopen roads that were blocked by the flood since Monday afternoon.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, 43.4 mm of rainfall was recorded in Khopasi and 41 mm in Roshi. Rainfall between 10 mm and 50 mm is classified as moderate.
Meteorologist Hari Prasad Dahal from the Meteorological Forecasting Division under the Department said the flood was caused by moderate rainfall brought on by a combination of local air and moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea.
He explained that during the pre-monsoon season, rainfall tends to occur in isolated and scattered patterns—referred to as “fragmented rainfall.” The flood in Kavre is considered a result of this phenomenon, which he described as normal. However, he stressed the need for further study, as multiple factors may have contributed to the extent of the damage.
Elsewhere, Gulmi’s district headquarters Tamghas recorded 54.4 mm of rainfall, which qualifies as heavy rain. Additionally, 34.4 mm of rainfall was recorded in Musikot and 35.2 mm in Panchamul, Syangja. No flood-related damages have been reported in these areas.
Where was the damage in Kavre?
Flood damage was reported in Wards 3 to 10 of Panauti Municipality. Similarly, Roshi and Temal rural municipalities were also affected by floods and landslides.
A temporary drinking water pipeline in Panauti, which was repaired after last year’s floods in October, has been washed away again. Nearly 3 kilometers of temporary roads have also been swept away.
Flooding has submerged potato fields and other crops. In Ward 6 of Roshi Rural Municipality, a culvert on the road to Mahabharat Rural Municipality was also washed away.
According to Kavre District Police Office, the areas of Panauti, Katunje Besi, Bokshikuna, and Mamti suffered the most damage. Roads in Mamti are blocked in both directions, while Katunje Besi and Bokshikuna remain partially operational. Repair work began early this morning in the affected areas.
Worries mount before monsoon begins
The recent flooding has raised concerns in Kavre, which is still recovering from the devastating floods and landslides of last October. The fear is that the upcoming monsoon season could bring even greater disasters.
The October 2023 disaster in Kavre claimed 78 lives, left 6 people missing, and injured 79 others. It also caused massive damage to homes, agriculture, livestock, schools, roads, communication infrastructure, drinking water systems, and electricity, amounting to millions in losses.
Crusher industries were blamed for worsening last year’s disaster. A meeting of the District Monitoring Committee on January 23, 2025 (Magh 9, 2081 BS), concluded that river-based crusher operations and the region’s challenging geography were the primary contributors to the scale of the destruction.
