Floods claim lives; Death toll rising PHOTO/VIDEO

Spokeswoman for Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Shanti Mahat, said that rescue operations are ongoing and that intensive searches are being conducted for the missing. Heavy rainfall has blocked major roads and destroyed numerous bridges, cutting off the capital, Kathmandu, from other parts of the country.

At the same time, at least 17 people have been killed in India in rain-triggered landslides following days of continuous downpours.

“The loss of human lives is tragic. According to our data, 11 people have died in Mirik and six in Darjeeling, but the number is not final,” said Udayan Guha, Minister for the Development of North Bengal, describing the situation as “alarming.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and stated that the authorities are “committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected.”