Image source: onlinekhaberenglishnew.com

It has been a tradition for heavy rainfall to cause floods and landslides in different regions of Nepal during the time of monsoon. This year monsoon arrived early bringing natural disasters right in the doorsteps of the civilians. Like every year, the southern parts of the country are battered with monsoon floods whereas the hilly districts are affected by landslides. Heavy rainfall since June 15 has resulted in an increase of the water level in the Helambu and Melamchi of Sindhupalchowk district, where seven people have been reported dead whereas more than 60 people are still missing. Similarly, in the mountain district of Manang, floods have displaced 56 families from Tal village in Nasho Rural Municipality. Within the past few days several fatalities were reported in Ribdikot of Palpa District, Doti District after a landslide and Machhapuchhre, Kaski District, Kisingh after flooding. People have been reported missing in Chhatradev, Arghakhanchi District; Aarughat, Gorkha District; Mallarani in Pyuthan District and Temal in Kavrepalanchowk District after heavy floods. 8 houses in Galyang, Shyanja District, 13 in Madi, Kaski District and 4 in Mandavi, Pyuthan District have been demolished due to flash flood. The amount of casualties is beyond the numbers. Horrifying images and videos of houses crumbling down, bridges being swept away and cries of people have been repeatedly seen in news and social media. People have been evacuating to safe places yet the damage is far too big. 
The government has been mobilising security forces for the rescue operations in Sindhupalchok district and other disaster affected areas. Local authorities and organizations are trying to reach out a helping hand but even the rescue operation has not been easy due to the deteriorating environment. Our government doesn’t seem to plan any precautionary measures; rather they await to deal with the aftermath. Nepal is prone to natural disasters due to its rugged topography and climatic condition, it’s unavoidable but Nepal has been facing it for so long that it should already have been able to plan out preventive courses to minimize the livestock, property and human damage but sadly it hasn’t, people still continue to build houses where the chances of such casualties are high. Our prayers to the ones who have lost their lives and loved ones.