President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed profound sympathy to the people of Nepal following a series of deadly floods and landslides that have claimed at least 60 lives, including 15 children, and displaced dozens of families.
In a statement issued via social media, President Muizzu conveyed sorrow over the widespread devastation caused by prolonged heavy rainfall and affirmed the Maldives’ solidarity with Nepal during what he described as a time of immense hardship.
“Deeply saddened to learn of the loss of lives and devastation caused by the floods and landslides in #Nepal,” President Muizzu wrote. “The government and the people of the #Maldives stand in solidarity with the people of Nepal during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”
The severe weather, which began on 3 October, has triggered multiple fatal incidents across Nepal. The eastern hilly district of Ilam, bordering India, has emerged as the worst affected. Fatalities have been reported across several districts, and local media confirm that 41 families have been displaced.
A spokesperson for the Nepalese military stated that a single landslide near the Indian border resulted in more than 37 deaths. Lightning strikes have claimed three additional lives, and flooding has led to reports of missing persons.
Meteorological data from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology indicate that while overall rainfall levels were slightly lower than last year, the destruction has been intensified by “ultra-localised” downpours.
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, according to Nepal’s disaster management authority. The flooding has severely disrupted infrastructure, rendering numerous highways and roads impassable and causing significant delays to transportation across affected regions.