'It was horrible': Heavy rain sparks landslide in Brazil, two dead, dozens missing 

Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains across Nepal have left at least 38 people dead, including seven children, and wounded over 50 others in the last 20 days, the Home Ministry said on Saturday.

The ministry said 51 people sustained injuries and 24 people, including three children, have gone missing in the incidents of floods and landslides in different parts of the country.

Similarly, 1,250 people have been evacuated from different parts of the country that were hit by the natural disaster, it said.

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Five people were killed in Sindhupalchowk district, four killed in Doti district, three each in Gorkha and Rolpa, two each in Chitawan, Tanhun, Pyuthan and Rautahat, one each in Lalitpur, Khotang, Saptari, Kavre, Dhading, Sindhuli, Jumla, Arghakhachi, Dang, Palpa, Kaski, Kalikot, Panchthar, Bajhang and Bajur districts, the ministry said.

A total of 790 houses have been inundated, 519 homes, 90 cowsheds and 19 bridges were destroyed due to the floods and landslides, it said.

The Nepal Army personnel, Nepal Police and Armed Police Forces have been mobilised to carry out rescue operations. Over 5,100 people have been displaced due to the natural calamity during this period.

Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains across Nepal have left at least 38 people dead, including seven children, and wounded over 50 others in the last 20 days, the Home Ministry said on Saturday.

Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains across Nepal have left at least 38 people dead, including seven children, and wounded over 50 others in the last 20 days, the Home Ministry said on Saturday. The ministry said 51 people sustained injuries and 24 people, including three children, have gone missing in the incidents of floods and landslides in different parts of the country. Similarly, 1,250 people have been evacuated from different parts of the country that were hit by the natural disaster, it said. Also read | Nepal PM promises vaccines for all before November election Five people were killed in Sindhupalchowk district, four killed in Doti district, three each in Gorkha and Rolpa, two each in Chitawan, Tanhun, Pyuthan and Rautahat, one each in Lalitpur, Khotang, Saptari, Kavre, Dhading, Sindhuli, Jumla, Arghakhachi, Dang, Palpa, Kaski, Kalikot, Panchthar, Bajhang and Bajur districts, the ministry said. A total of 790 houses have been inundated, 519 homes, 90 cowsheds and 19 bridges were destroyed due to the floods and landslides, it said. The Nepal Army personnel, Nepal Police and Armed Police Forces have been mobilised to carry out rescue operations. Over 5,100 people have been displaced due to the natural calamity during this period.

Nepal: 38 people killed, 51 injured in rain-triggered landslides, floods

The death toll in a landslide caused by torrential rains in the southern Indian state of Kerala rose to 18 on Saturday (August 8) and rescue workers searching for 50&nbsp;others thought to be trapped under soil and debris, officials said.

The incident occurred in the late hours of Friday as the a huge portion of a mound fell on houses in the area due to heavy rainfall and strong winds. The area is mainly populated with plantation workers.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-least-14-killed-57-missing-in-landslide-as-monsoon-rains-pound-kerala-318887" hreflang="en">At least 14 killed, 57 missing in landslide as monsoon rains pound Kerala</a>

Among the deceased, there were two children, five women and ten men, as per the initial reports.&nbsp;Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also reported that almost 15 people have been recused from under the debris.

The state government has put together a special rescue team with a designated leader.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted his condolences for those affected by the landslides. "Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected," he tweeted.

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Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1291694152799809541?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The PM’s Office said in a tweet that an ex gratia of $2,665 (INR 2 lakh) each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of those killed in the landslide. A sum of $666 (INR 50,000) each would be given to the injured.

The Chief Minister has also announced&nbsp;initial solatium of $ 6663 (INR&nbsp;5 lakh) each for the kin of the dead. Treatment expenses for the injured would be borne by the government, he said.

Rescue operations are under way with the help of&nbsp;National Disaster Response Force and an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department sounded a red alert for Idukki.

The death toll in a landslide caused by torrential rains in the southern Indian state of Kerala rose to 18 on Saturday (August 8) and rescue workers searching for 50 others thought to be trapped under soil and debris, officials said.

The death toll in a landslide caused by torrential rains in the southern Indian state of Kerala rose to 18 on Saturday (August 8) and rescue workers searching for 50 others thought to be trapped under soil and debris, officials said. The incident occurred in the late hours of Friday as the a huge portion of a mound fell on houses in the area due to heavy rainfall and strong winds. The area is mainly populated with plantation workers. Also read: At least 14 killed, 57 missing in landslide as monsoon rains pound Kerala Among the deceased, there were two children, five women and ten men, as per the initial reports. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also reported that almost 15 people have been recused from under the debris. The state government has put together a special rescue team with a designated leader. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted his condolences for those affected by the landslides. "Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected," he tweeted. Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2020 × The PM’s Office said in a tweet that an ex gratia of $2,665 (INR 2 lakh) each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of those killed in the landslide. A sum of $666 (INR 50,000) each would be given to the injured. The Chief Minister has also announced initial solatium of $ 6663 (INR 5 lakh) each for the kin of the dead. Treatment expenses for the injured would be borne by the government, he said. Rescue operations are under way with the help of National Disaster Response Force and an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department sounded a red alert for Idukki.

Kerala landslides: 18 people declared dead, 50 trapped; PM offers condolences

At least 21 people have died after 46 days of heavy rains in South Korea, with the country`s longest monsoon in seven years causing more flooding, landslides and evacuations on Saturday.

More than 3,000 people had been evacuated as of 6 a.m. local time on Saturday (2100 GMT Friday), according to Ministry of the Interior and Safety data, as rains battered the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Eleven people are missing.

About 100 metres (109.36 yards) of levee collapsed at the Seomjin River in the southern edge of the peninsula on Saturday and flooded the area, an official at the South Jeolla province said, with about 1,900 people evacuated in the province including about 500 from around the river.

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The country`s forestry agency has raised landslide warnings to its highest level in every region except the holiday island of Jeju.

Five homes were buried in a landslide on Friday from a mountain behind a village in Gokseong, South Jeolla province, killing five people. Three people have been rescued.

In neighbouring North Korea, state media KCNA reported that Premier Pak Pong Ju, the country`s third-highest ranking official, inspected flood damage to submerged fields and crops in southwest regions of the country.

At least 21 people have died after 46 days of heavy rains in South Korea, with the country`s longest monsoon in seven years causing more flooding, landslides and evacuations on Saturday.

At least 21 people have died after 46 days of heavy rains in South Korea, with the country`s longest monsoon in seven years causing more flooding, landslides and evacuations on Saturday. More than 3,000 people had been evacuated as of 6 a.m. local time on Saturday (2100 GMT Friday), according to Ministry of the Interior and Safety data, as rains battered the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Eleven people are missing. About 100 metres (109.36 yards) of levee collapsed at the Seomjin River in the southern edge of the peninsula on Saturday and flooded the area, an official at the South Jeolla province said, with about 1,900 people evacuated in the province including about 500 from around the river. × The country`s forestry agency has raised landslide warnings to its highest level in every region except the holiday island of Jeju. Five homes were buried in a landslide on Friday from a mountain behind a village in Gokseong, South Jeolla province, killing five people. Three people have been rescued. In neighbouring North Korea, state media KCNA reported that Premier Pak Pong Ju, the country`s third-highest ranking official, inspected flood damage to submerged fields and crops in southwest regions of the country.

South Korea floods, landslides kill 21 as heavy rains continue

Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rain in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua have killed at least 58 people, injured dozens and displaced more than 4,000, authorities said on Sunday.

A search for more possible victims was underway in the town of Sentani, which was hit by flash floods late on Saturday. Fifty-one people were killed and 74 injured there, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the national disaster agency, told a news briefing.

Heavy rain caused landslides in the nearby provincial capital of Jayapura, killing seven there, Nugroho said.

Soldiers pulled alive a 5-month old baby from under the rubble of his house and took him to the hospital, Papua military spokesman Muhammad Aidi said.

The number of victims "will probably increase because the evacuation process is still taking place and not all affected areas have been reached," Nugroho said.

About 4,150 people are sheltering in six evacuation centers, he said.

Hundreds of houses, three bridges and a Twin Otter airplane parked at the airport were damaged by the floods. The Sentani airport, the province's main transport hub, remained open.

The TV footage showed mud and large logs on Sentani's main roads after floodwaters receded.

Disaster authorities have warned local governments of flash flood risks due to deforestation in the mountains surrounding the town, Nugroho said, adding that in 2018 Jakarta sent seedlings intended for tree-planting.

'Forest destruction in the Cyclops mountains have increased for use as firewood and to turn the land into plantations,'&nbsp;Nugroho said.

'Since 2018 we have warned the Jayapura government to be careful of flash flood risks because of this deforestation,'&nbsp;he added.

Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rain in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua have killed at least 58 people, injured dozens and displaced more than 4,000, authorities said on Sunday.

Flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rain in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua have killed at least 58 people, injured dozens and displaced more than 4,000, authorities said on Sunday. A search for more possible victims was underway in the town of Sentani, which was hit by flash floods late on Saturday. Fifty-one people were killed and 74 injured there, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the national disaster agency, told a news briefing. Heavy rain caused landslides in the nearby provincial capital of Jayapura, killing seven there, Nugroho said. Soldiers pulled alive a 5-month old baby from under the rubble of his house and took him to the hospital, Papua military spokesman Muhammad Aidi said. The number of victims "will probably increase because the evacuation process is still taking place and not all affected areas have been reached," Nugroho said. About 4,150 people are sheltering in six evacuation centers, he said. Hundreds of houses, three bridges and a Twin Otter airplane parked at the airport were damaged by the floods. The Sentani airport, the province's main transport hub, remained open. The TV footage showed mud and large logs on Sentani's main roads after floodwaters receded. Disaster authorities have warned local governments of flash flood risks due to deforestation in the mountains surrounding the town, Nugroho said, adding that in 2018 Jakarta sent seedlings intended for tree-planting. 'Forest destruction in the Cyclops mountains have increased for use as firewood and to turn the land into plantations,' Nugroho said. 'Since 2018 we have warned the Jayapura government to be careful of flash flood risks because of this deforestation,' he added.

Flash floods kill at least 58 in Indonesia's Papua province

The jeep bumps along a sloppy mud road carved between Pakistan's northern mountains, its tyres running with breathtaking precision along the very edge, where nothing but air lies between them and the snake-like river winding hundreds of feet below.

More than 3,000 metres (around 10,000 feet) above sea level the vehicle has no room for error, its other side just inches from scraping along the rock face, its passengers worriedly monitoring how anxious the driver appears.

For his part, Shahid Karim spends as much of his time watching the mountains themselves as he does gauging how close he is bringing his jeep to the edge.&nbsp;

"At every second death is written on this road... This whole area is notorious for landslides," he says, adding that falling rocks have struck his vehicle many times.

The precarious roads of Pakistan's mountainous north are lifelines for its scattered and remote population. The thoroughfare Karim is travelling is the only one connecting the 2,400 residents of the village of Shimshal to the outside world.

Drivers like Karim, a native of the region who has been navigating this particular stretch of road since 2004, are the only ones who use them, making a career out of ferrying villagers, tourists, and the handful of Westerners who make the knuckle-whitening journey each year.

They are the ones with the experience to know that landslides are as great a threat as the road's narrowness and lack of safety barriers.&nbsp;

During spring and autumn, when there is no snow or rain, an ibex walking delicately along the heights can trigger a rockfall, while a strong breeze on a summer's day can set pebbles sliding away.

The lightest rainfall can shift rocks, while in the frozen winters even sunlight can be dangerous, melting the snow that surrounds boulders and prevents them from raining down on the road.

Sometimes rocks falling from above are less of a danger than those tumbling away beneath the car tyres, loosened by the weight of the vehicle and sent crashing down into the abyss.

The more desperate passengers are for the journey to end, the slower the driver is forced to crawl along the roads.

"We have passengers with us whose lives depend on us," Karim says. "So it is really important to drive slowly."

Death is a journey

This road was inaugurated in 2003 after 18 years of labour by locals in which three villagers lost their lives.&nbsp;

Before then, the people of Shimshal had to walk for days, crossing icy rivers and climbing deadly ridges in freezing temperatures to reach the nearest large village of Passu.

Previous rulers of Hunza, the former principality that encompasses Shimshal and now forms part of Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, would banish criminals to Shimshal as punishment.

The suffering lay in the journey, which was so tough that few survived it, most slipping to their death from precarious ridges with others succumbing to cold and pneumonia.

The road, despite causing so much fear in the hearts of tourists, is therefore seen as a blessing by residents of Shimshal, bringing education and basic amenities to their remote mountain homes.

That includes electricity: for years residents have generated power with small solar panels, though this year a hydropower plant built with materials brought in along the road is set to be completed.

Honking horns at dawn

Every morning the sound of a blaring car horn tears into the dawn serenity of Shimshal.

Its residents are not bothered by the rude awakening. So few people dare drive the road that -- barring emergencies -- those who wish to travel outside crowd into just one vehicle that leaves daily. Its driver is simply making sure no one misses the journey. &nbsp;

A mere six vehicles from Shimshal and four from Passu regularly make the commute. The villagers muster at a single point with their luggage as the driver continues cruising through the village honking, sometimes for up to half an hour.&nbsp;

Doulat Amin, the first teacher to work in Shimshal valley, is among the people waiting one rainy dawn to get into central Hunza.

"I came here in 1966 as a teacher and there were so many difficulties back then," the 75-year-old said.&nbsp;

"There was no education, because there was no road."

Travelling its rocky way is risky -- but, Amin says, God is with the passengers.

"We plead with him every time we travel on the road."

The jeep bumps along a sloppy mud road carved between Pakistan's northern mountains, its tyres running with breathtaking precision along the very edge, where nothing but air lies between them and the snake-like river winding hundreds of feet below.

The jeep bumps along a sloppy mud road carved between Pakistan's northern mountains, its tyres running with breathtaking precision along the very edge, where nothing but air lies between them and the snake-like river winding hundreds of feet below. More than 3,000 metres (around 10,000 feet) above sea level the vehicle has no room for error, its other side just inches from scraping along the rock face, its passengers worriedly monitoring how anxious the driver appears. For his part, Shahid Karim spends as much of his time watching the mountains themselves as he does gauging how close he is bringing his jeep to the edge. "At every second death is written on this road... This whole area is notorious for landslides," he says, adding that falling rocks have struck his vehicle many times. The precarious roads of Pakistan's mountainous north are lifelines for its scattered and remote population. The thoroughfare Karim is travelling is the only one connecting the 2,400 residents of the village of Shimshal to the outside world. Drivers like Karim, a native of the region who has been navigating this particular stretch of road since 2004, are the only ones who use them, making a career out of ferrying villagers, tourists, and the handful of Westerners who make the knuckle-whitening journey each year. They are the ones with the experience to know that landslides are as great a threat as the road's narrowness and lack of safety barriers. During spring and autumn, when there is no snow or rain, an ibex walking delicately along the heights can trigger a rockfall, while a strong breeze on a summer's day can set pebbles sliding away. The lightest rainfall can shift rocks, while in the frozen winters even sunlight can be dangerous, melting the snow that surrounds boulders and prevents them from raining down on the road. Sometimes rocks falling from above are less of a danger than those tumbling away beneath the car tyres, loosened by the weight of the vehicle and sent crashing down into the abyss. The more desperate passengers are for the journey to end, the slower the driver is forced to crawl along the roads. "We have passengers with us whose lives depend on us," Karim says. "So it is really important to drive slowly." Death is a journey This road was inaugurated in 2003 after 18 years of labour by locals in which three villagers lost their lives. Before then, the people of Shimshal had to walk for days, crossing icy rivers and climbing deadly ridges in freezing temperatures to reach the nearest large village of Passu. Previous rulers of Hunza, the former principality that encompasses Shimshal and now forms part of Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, would banish criminals to Shimshal as punishment. The suffering lay in the journey, which was so tough that few survived it, most slipping to their death from precarious ridges with others succumbing to cold and pneumonia. The road, despite causing so much fear in the hearts of tourists, is therefore seen as a blessing by residents of Shimshal, bringing education and basic amenities to their remote mountain homes. That includes electricity: for years residents have generated power with small solar panels, though this year a hydropower plant built with materials brought in along the road is set to be completed. Honking horns at dawn Every morning the sound of a blaring car horn tears into the dawn serenity of Shimshal. Its residents are not bothered by the rude awakening. So few people dare drive the road that -- barring emergencies -- those who wish to travel outside crowd into just one vehicle that leaves daily. Its driver is simply making sure no one misses the journey. A mere six vehicles from Shimshal and four from Passu regularly make the commute. The villagers muster at a single point with their luggage as the driver continues cruising through the village honking, sometimes for up to half an hour. Doulat Amin, the first teacher to work in Shimshal valley, is among the people waiting one rainy dawn to get into central Hunza. "I came here in 1966 as a teacher and there were so many difficulties back then," the 75-year-old said. "There was no education, because there was no road." Travelling its rocky way is risky -- but, Amin says, God is with the passengers. "We plead with him every time we travel on the road."

Daring death on the remote roads of Pakistan's north