Over 140 dead in floods and landslides

Kathmandu - At least 148 people have died in heavy flooding in Nepal.

Around 55 others are missing, according to the authorities. The devastating rainfall in the Himalayan country began late on Thursday. The government announced free treatment for the injured and aid packages for affected families.

Around half of the fatalities were in the capital Kathmandu and surrounding districts.

The region has been badly affected by the floods and landslides. Local media spoke of the worst rainfall in Kathmandu for decades.

The rain had particularly affected central and eastern regions across the country. Several buses were swept away by landslides in the area surrounding the capital. The bodies of at least 35 people were recovered from the vehicles, authorities reported.

"The search for the missing is still underway while the affected families are being brought to safety. This may take a few more days," police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki told dpa.

Around 100 people were reportedly injured. More than 3600 residents were brought to safety, the police said.

The heavy monsoon rains have severely damaged roads and bridges and also temporarily paralyzed domestic air traffic, authorities reported. Many access routes to the capital Kathmandu are reportedly blocked by landslides.

In some areas, people were temporarily without electricity and internet access. Schools across the country are to remain closed at the beginning of the week, the Ministry of Education announced.

Although the weather has improved, authorities initially expect further rainfall in parts of the country. Nepal is often exposed to natural disasters due to its mountainous location and large rivers.

Massive rainfall that triggers flooding and landslides is normal during the monsoon season in South Asia, which usually lasts from June to September.

The damage is often extensive: entire houses are washed away and there are always fatalities. At the same time, the rain is vital for agriculture, on which a large part of the population lives.