Nepal Flooding and Landslides Kill at Least 170 People

At least 170 people have died in Nepal after days of unceasing rain caused heavy flooding and triggered major landslides around the country, including in the densely populated region around Kathmandu, the nation’s capital.

The monsoon rains destroyed hundreds of homes and swept away bridges, cut off power and left downed trees as rescuers struggled to reach people, some of whom were trapped under debris while others were stranded on rooftops.

By late Saturday, the rains had lessened in intensity, allowing rescue workers to use helicopters and expand their search operations to more remote areas in Dhading and Dolakha districts. More than 3,600 people have been rescued so far, but with more than 100 injured and dozens still missing, government officials said they expected the death toll to rise.

Nepal’s prime minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, who was in the United States attending the U.N. General Assembly meeting, urged Nepalis to have patience, saying on social media that the rains would subside soon.

“I'm preparing to return,” Mr. Oli said. “Let’s collaborate for rescue in the time of disaster.”

Nepal, the home of Mount Everest, is prone to landslides and floods because of its mountainous terrain and heavy monsoons. But the warming climate has made weather events more dangerous and deadly, causing frequent flooding from melting glaciers. Climate change has also intensified rainfall. At the same time, rapid development and haphazard construction have added to the risk that human lives will be lost in natural disasters.

On Saturday afternoon, Satrudhan Kumar Mahato, a police inspector, reached a remote two-story house made of mud and stone whose residents were trapped in Dolakha district, about three hours from Kathmandu. When