New Delhi, Oct 5 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and widespread damage caused by the heavy rainfall in Nepal. He reiterated that India stands in solidarity with the populace and government of Nepal during this challenging period.

"The loss of lives and destruction brought on by torrential rains in Nepal is heartbreaking. We are here for the people and the Government of Nepal as a supportive neighbor and first responder, and India is steadfast in its readiness to provide necessary assistance," PM Modi shared on X.

His message of condolence arrives as reports indicate that 39 individuals have lost their lives due to monsoon-related incidents across Nepal since Friday. The country has been grappling with severe rainfall since that day, resulting in landslides, flooding, and widespread inundation.

According to the Armed Police Force Headquarters in Kathmandu, the death toll from these disasters has now reached 39, with 36 fatalities in Koshi province alone, while three were reported in Madhesh, as reported by The Kathmandu Post.

Currently, 11 individuals are unaccounted for in Nepal, and 13 others have sustained injuries. The landslides in Ilam have claimed 27 lives, with five more individuals still missing. Additionally, two fatalities and one injury were linked to floods and landslides in Udayapur.

A lightning strike in Khotang resulted in one death and three injuries, while two were injured by lightning in Bhojpur. Three lives were lost due to lightning in Madhesh, as per The Kathmandu Post. Other casualties include one in Bara, four in Rasuwa, and one in Kathmandu, all swept away by rivers, alongside one lightning injury in Makwanpur.

Despite the intense downpours since Friday, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reported slight improvements in conditions by Sunday morning.

A notice issued on Sunday indicated that rainfall had decreased across multiple districts, with the heaviest recorded in certain areas of Lalitpur district within the Kathmandu Valley.

The department noted, "Light rain is being observed in parts of Kathmandu, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, and Ramechhap districts." However, they cautioned about potential heavy rainfall in the hilly districts of eastern Koshi Province later in the afternoon and evening.

Although rainfall has eased in several areas by Sunday morning, landslides have severely impacted multiple highways, hindering transportation.

The Nepalese government has maintained its restrictions on vehicle movement to and from the Kathmandu Valley.

Major highways linking the valley, such as the Prithvi Highway (connecting Kathmandu with western Nepal), the BP Highway (linking the capital with southeastern Nepal), and the Araniko Highway (connecting Kathmandu with the Chinese border), remain completely obstructed.

Moreover, the Pasang Lhamu, Koshi, and Siddhicharan highways are also entirely blocked.

In light of the dangers posed by landslides and flooding, long-distance transport services from five of the seven provinces—Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini—have been suspended, as noted by the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division in a recent social media update.