Nepal flash floods aftermath LIVE: Death toll goes past 1,250 as PM Balendra Shah flags climate change link - The Hindu

**Flash Flood Catastrophe Ravages Nepal, Death Toll Tops 1,250**

Heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods and landslides across central and western Nepal on June 30, 2024, leaving a trail of devastation that now claims more than 1,250 lives, according to the latest government figures. The worst‑hit districts include Kaski, Lamjung, and Gorkha, where swollen rivers breached embankments, sweeping away homes, bridges and entire villages. Emergency services report that thousands remain trapped under debris, and rescue teams continue to scour remote valleys for survivors while battling treacherous roads and after‑shocks from additional landslides.

Prime Minister **Balendra Shah** addressed the nation on Sunday, declaring the disaster a stark illustration of the country’s growing vulnerability to climate change. “Our mountains are warming, glaciers are retreating, and extreme weather events are becoming the new normal,” he said, urging the cabinet to fast‑track a climate‑resilient reconstruction plan. The government has mobilised the Nepal Army, police and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to provide shelter, food and medical aid to displaced families. International partners, including the United Nations and several NGOs, have pledged financial and logistical support for rebuilding the estimated 5,000 homes destroyed and for an accelerated search for the missing, which now numbers over 300.

The floods have also disrupted religious pilgrimages to sacred sites such as the Muktinath and Manakamana temples, where devotees sought solace amid the tragedy. Despite the damage, local tour operators report that certain hill‑stations and trekking routes remain accessible, though they advise travelers to stay updated on weather alerts and to avoid low‑lying valleys prone to flash flooding. The tourism ministry has issued a safety advisory, urging visitors to coordinate with certified guides and to respect evacuation orders, while promising to restore tourist infrastructure once the waters recede.

---