Nepal on High Alert: 26 Districts Warned as Cyclone Montha Triggers Heavy Rain and Snow
(File Photo/REUTERS) via HT MEDIA
Kathmandu, Oct 30 (TheTrendingPeople.com): Authorities in Nepal have issued flood and landslide alerts across 26 districts as Cyclone Montha continues to unleash torrential rain and snowfall over the Himalayan nation. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) on Thursday warned of rising river levels, flash floods, and hazardous conditions in several regions, urging citizens to remain on high alert until at least Saturday.
The cyclone, which originated in the Bay of Bengal and made landfall in Andhra Pradesh, India on Tuesday night, has caused severe weather across Nepal’s Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces, disrupting travel and prompting emergency measures.
Timeline: From Landfall in India to Nepal’s Rising Waters
Cyclone Montha, classified as a severe weather system, entered Nepal’s airspace on Thursday morning, bringing with it persistent rainfall and strong winds.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the Nepal Army and security forces carried out rescue operations to evacuate over 1,500 stranded tourists from Manang, a high-altitude district in Gandaki Province, after heavy snowfall cut off trekking routes.
According to local reports, hundreds of trekkers attempting to reach Tilicho Lake (4,919 metres) were forced to turn back after trails became dangerously blocked by snow. The Nepal Army confirmed that multiple airlifts and ground rescues were conducted under challenging weather conditions.
A spokesperson for the Nepal Army stated,
“Our teams worked through adverse conditions to bring stranded tourists to safety. The operation was difficult due to continuous snowfall and poor visibility, but all rescued individuals are now safe.”
Authorities Warn of Rising River Levels and Flash Floods
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) issued a red alert across flood-prone regions, predicting a significant surge in water flow across major rivers, including the Saptakoshi, Tamor, Arun, Dudhkoshi, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi, Kankai, Kamala, Bagmati, and Rapti.
In its latest bulletin, DHM said,
“Travellers and residents near riverbanks should exercise extreme caution. Continuous rainfall may cause sudden flooding in smaller and larger rivers across Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces. The impact of Cyclone Montha is expected to persist until Saturday.”
Officials said 26 districts — including Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Panchthar, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Ilam, Jhapa, Sunsari, Udayapur, Sarlahi, Bara, and Makwanpur — face a high risk of flash floods and landslides.
In eastern districts like Ilam and Jhapa, heavy downpours since Wednesday night have already caused localised flooding, damaging roads and temporarily cutting power lines in several rural areas.
Public Advisory: Avoid Travel and Harvest Activity
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) released a nationwide advisory urging residents to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and relocate to higher ground if they live near rivers or flood-prone settlements.
The NDRRMA statement read:
“Avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary. Residents of settlements prone to flooding should identify high and safe areas and move immediately if needed. Paddy and other crops should not be harvested during this period; if already harvested, move them indoors to prevent damage.”
Officials further said that disaster management and security committees in each affected district have been instructed to regulate traffic movement depending on local conditions.
The authority added that all three security forces — the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police — along with local governments and volunteers, have been placed on high alert for emergency response.
“All stakeholders, including partner organisations, should stay in touch with the District Disaster Management Committees and coordinate for preparedness, prevention, and rapid response,” the NDRRMA statement added.
Impact Beyond Nepal: Cyclone Montha Hits India
Cyclone Montha’s impact has not been limited to Nepal. The system caused heavy rainfall in several Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, leading to school closures, transportation disruptions, and evacuation efforts in coastal areas.
In Andhra Pradesh, where the cyclone first made landfall, wind speeds of up to 100 km/h uprooted trees and damaged power lines. Thousands of residents were moved to relief shelters as part of preventive evacuation operations.
Meteorological experts have said that the remnants of the cyclone are now interacting with Nepal’s mountainous topography, intensifying rainfall and snowfall across central and eastern regions.
Eyewitness Accounts from Affected Regions
Locals in Solukhumbu and Khotang districts reported non-stop rainfall for nearly 36 hours. Roads in several rural areas have turned muddy and impassable.
An eyewitness from Dhankuta, Ramesh Rai, told TheTrendingPeople.com:
“Our village road is blocked due to a landslide that happened early this morning. The river nearby is already swelling. People are afraid it might overflow if the rain continues.”
Meanwhile, trekkers rescued from Manang shared relief and gratitude after being evacuated.
“We were trapped for almost two days near Tilicho base camp. The snow kept falling, and visibility dropped to zero. The rescue team arrived just in time,” said a tourist from Poland who was part of the evacuation.
Preparedness and Government Response
The Home Ministry of Nepal has activated the Emergency Operations Centre, coordinating with provincial authorities and the Nepal Police to monitor real-time updates.
Emergency shelters have been set up in Parsa, Sarlahi, and Morang, while medical response units are on standby in major hospitals across the affected provinces.
Meteorological officers expect the rainfall to peak by Friday night and begin subsiding by Saturday afternoon, though some regions could continue experiencing light rain into Sunday.
The Department of Roads has also deployed bulldozers and rescue teams along key highways, including the Araniko Highway and Prithvi Highway, where landslides have been reported.
Historical Context: Nepal’s Recurring Monsoon Challenges
Nepal, a country highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, frequently experiences monsoon-related floods and landslides. The current cyclone impact follows a series of heavy monsoon rains earlier this year that caused widespread damage, killing over 80 people and displacing thousands.
Experts warn that climate change and erratic weather patterns are increasing the frequency and severity of such disasters, posing major risks to Nepal’s fragile mountain ecology and rural communities.
“Nepal’s disaster preparedness must now be more localized and tech-driven,” said environmental analyst Dr. Sujata Shrestha, who emphasized the need for early warning systems and real-time weather communication at the village level.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
As Cyclone Montha continues to batter Nepal, the nation faces yet another stern test of resilience. With 26 districts on alert, thousands of residents vulnerable to flooding, and ongoing rescue efforts, authorities are racing against time to prevent further casualties.
While the government’s swift response and coordination between agencies offer reassurance, experts believe this event underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure, disaster education, and cross-border coordination — especially as extreme weather events become more frequent across South Asia.
For now, vigilance remains the best defence. As the rivers rise and the rains persist, Nepal stands united against nature’s fury — one storm at a time.