Disasters in 2080 BS claimed 493 lives in Nepal

KATHMANDU: The year 2080 BS brought a series of calamities to Nepal, resulting in 493 fatalities, with 31 individuals still reported missing and 1,616 sustaining injuries.

According to Joint Secretary Bharatmani Pandey of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Nepal witnessed a total of 6,400 incidents of natural disasters throughout the year, affecting 80,716 families.

The array of calamities, ranging from landslides and floods to boat capsizes and lightning strikes, inflicted property losses amounting to Rs 5.42 billion.

Among the disasters, the most devastating was the Jajarkot earthquake on November 3, which claimed 155 lives.

Fires also wreaked havoc, with 4,061 incidents reported from Baisakh 1 to Chait 30 of 2080 BS (April 14, 2023 - April 12, 2024), resulting in 106 casualties, 504 injuries, and affecting 5,130 families. Property losses from fires surpassed Rs 2.52 billion during this period.

Additionally, Nepal experienced 250 lightning incidents, resulting in 46 fatalities and 228 injuries.

Animal assaults claimed 45 lives and left 278 injured. Landslides accounted for 50 deaths, while avalanches, forest fires, and other disasters added to the casualty toll.

Specifically, landslides caused 50 deaths, followed by 18 from floods, 20 from snakebites, 12 from avalanches, and 11 from forest fires.

The nation grappled with various natural and non-natural disasters, underscoring the importance of robust disaster preparedness and response measures to mitigate future risks.