Kathmandu: At least 52 people have died across eastern Nepal in the past 24 hours due to landslides, floods, lightning and road accidents triggered by torrential overnight rainfall.

The Armed Police Force (APF) confirmed that 37 deaths were reported from Koshi province alone between 10 am Saturday and 10 am Sunday, making it the worst-hit region. The fatalities were spread across Ilam, Panchthar, Udayapur, Rautahat and Khotang districts.

Continuous rainfall since Friday pushed eight major rivers above danger level, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said, while a red alert was issued for areas around the Bagmati and East Rapti rivers. Monsoon rains remain active in five of Nepal’s seven provinces, Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini.

Breakdown of casualties
According to the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA), landslides killed 37 people in the Ilam district of Koshi province. These included eight deaths each in Deumai and Maijogmai municipalities, six each in Ilam and Sandakpur, five in Suryodaya, three in Mangsebung and one in Fakfokthum.

Elsewhere, two people each died in Udayapur and Panchthar in floods and landslides, three in Rautahat and two in Khotang were struck by lightning, and six people lost their lives in a road accident in Panchthar after roads were damaged by rain.

Four trekkers were swept away by a swollen river in the Langtang Conservation Area of Rasuwa district, while one person each remained missing in Ilam, Bara and Kathmandu.

Relief and rescue
The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and APF have been deployed for rescue efforts in the affected regions. In one instance, a pregnant woman and three others from Ilam were airlifted to a hospital in Dharan municipality.

The government announced an immediate relief of NRs 2,00,000 to the families of the deceased and promised free treatment for the injured.

Impact on transport and tourism
Domestic flights from Kathmandu resumed on Sunday after the skies cleared, following the suspension of services across provinces a day earlier. Vehicular movement on major highways has also been partly restored. Emergency and goods transport vehicles, as well as stranded passenger buses, have been allowed to move in coordination with local authorities. Night travel on risky stretches remains restricted.

Meanwhile, trails in the Everest region have been badly hit by landslides. The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) urged trekkers to exercise caution and use alternate routes, saying the main trail had been blocked.

India offers help
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and assured assistance. “The loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing. We stand with the people and Government of Nepal in this difficult time,” Modi said on X.

“As a friendly neighbour and first responder, India remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required,” he added.

Officials said the scale of destruction in Ilam district has been the highest in recent years. APF spokesperson Kalidas Dhaubaji said: “As many as 37 people died in Ilam due to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the last two days.” With major rivers swelling and red alerts issued, authorities have warned communities along riverbanks to remain on high alert as rains continue.