Landslides and floods kill 42

Landslides and floods triggered by heavy downpours in Nepal have killed at least 42 people, a disaster official said yesterday.

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Parts of the country have been inundated since Friday, prompting disaster authorities to warn of floods in multiple rivers.

“So far, 42 people have died in rain-triggered disasters and five are missing,” Shanti Mahat, spokeswoman for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, told AFP.

At least 37 were killed by landslides in the eastern district of Illam.

“Heavy rains overnight caused the landslides,” said local district official Sunita Nepal.

“With roads blocked, some areas are difficult to reach. Rescue workers are heading there on foot.”

Rivers in the capital Kathmandu also swelled, inundating settlements along their banks.