At least 18 people have died in flooding and landslide incidents across Ilam district in eastern Nepal over the past 24 hours, authorities said on Sunday morning.

According to SSP Deepak Pokhrel, spokesperson for the Koshi Province Police Office, five deaths were reported in Suryodaya Municipality, three in Mangsebung Municipality, six in Ilam Municipality, three in Deumai Municipality, and one in Fakfokthum village council.

“The death toll might rise as we are still assessing the damage. We only have preliminary details so far,” SSP Pokhrel told ANI over the phone.

Security forces deployed for rescue

All three tiers of Nepal’s security agencies — the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police — have been deployed to conduct search and rescue operations in affected areas.

Teams have been assisting with evacuations from floodplains within the Kathmandu Valley, as rivers continue to swell following heavy rainfall. Rescue personnel went door to door, helping residents relocate to safer zones and move their belongings.

Rising river levels trigger warnings

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reported rising water levels in the Bagmati, Hanumante, Manohara, Dhobi Khola, Bishnumati, Nakkhu, and Balkhu rivers. Authorities warned that floodwaters could spill over onto roadsides and residential areas, urging residents and motorists to avoid travelling near riverbanks.

Districts at high risk

Several districts — including Sunsari, Udaypur, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Sindhuli, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Makwanpur, and Chitwan — have been placed on high alert for further flooding and landslides.

Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) estimates that nearly two million people (1,997,731) from over 4.5 lakh households could be affected by monsoon-related disasters this year.

Unusual monsoon pattern

While Nepal had anticipated an above-average monsoon this year, experts say the rainfall pattern has shifted, extending beyond the usual June-to-September season. Reactivation of the monsoon during its withdrawal phase has triggered heavy downpours in several regions.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue and relief operations remain ongoing.