Nepal floods: Death toll rises and more than 30 people are still missing

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — The number of people killed by floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains over the weekend in Nepal has reached 193, as recovery and rescue work intensified Monday.

Many deaths occurred in the capital, Kathmandu, which was hit by heavy rains, and most of the southern part of the city was submerged. Police said in a statement that 31 people were still missing and 96 people were injured across the Himalayan country.

A landslide killed dozens of people on a closed highway about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Kathmandu. The landslide buried at least three buses and other vehicles in which people were sleeping due to the closure of the highway.

Kathmandu remained isolated throughout the weekend as landslides blocked the three highways outside the city. Workers were able to temporarily open the main Prithvi Highway and remove rocks, mud and trees washed away from the mountains.

The Interior Minister announced that temporary shelters will be built for people who lost their homes and financial assistance will be provided to the families of the dead and people who were injured due to floods and landslides.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli was returning home on Monday from attending the UN General Assembly meeting and called an emergency meeting, his office said.

The improvement in weather allowed the intensification of rescue and recovery work.

Residents in the southern part of Kathmandu, which was flooded on Saturday, are cleaning their homes as water levels begin to recede. At least 34 people died in Kathmandu, which was worst affected by the floods.

Police and soldiers are assisting in the rescue efforts, while heavy equipment has been used to remove landslides from the roads. The government announced the closure of schools and colleges across Nepal for the next three days.

The monsoon season begins in June and usually ends by mid-September.

Meanwhile, in northern Bangladesh, about 60,000 people were affected by flooding in low-lying areas due to rain and rising waters from the upper Indus River.

People took shelter on roads and flood protection embankments in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts, the English-language Daily Star reported.

The Dhaka-based Flood Forecasting and Warning Center said on Monday that the Teesta River, which crosses the border, was overflowing at some points, and the water levels of the Dharala and Dudkumar rivers in Rangpur district had risen but remained below danger levels. She added that the water may begin to recede within a day or two.

Bangladesh is a low-lying delta country intersected by about 230 rivers, including more than 50 crossing borders.