In the early hours of 28 September 2024, Kathmandu was struck by a devastating flood that left the city reeling. With 300 ml, the highest rainfall recorded in a single day (Kavre), the deluge claimed the lives of 98 people in the Kathmandu Valley alone. And yet, this wasn't even a record rainfall — official data reveals we've seen heavier downpours in the past.
How vulnerable are we, even in the heart of the country? On the morning of 28 September, a large landslide occurred in the Jhyaple Khola in Dhading. Many passengers lost their lives when the landslide buried the buses. Similarly, the flood of the Roshi River in Sindhupalchok also caused great damage, and the passengers were stuck on highways.
A lack of trained manpower and necessary materials for rescue was visible. However, the security agencies continued the risky rescue operation as long as the means and resources were available. Even before that on 12 July, two buses plunged into the Trishuli River at Simaltal, Chitwan, claiming dozens of lives and testing Nepal’s disaster response capacity.
Within hours, trained members of Nepal's Armed Police Force (APF), along with more than 200 personnel deployed in rescue operations, arrived at the scene and started their work. The government sought international assistance, which led to the deployment of 12 personnel equipped with advanced technology like sonar systems and magnets for search operations—tools that Nepal lacked. Despite frequent natural disasters — eart.