39 citizens washed away in Ilam due to state failure
Summary
A sudden heavy rainfall and landslides in Ilam led to the deaths of 39 people, highlighting challenges in rainfall forecasting and state disaster preparedness amid changing climate patterns.
Key Points
- A sudden, record-breaking rainfall in Ilam caused landslides and floods resulting in 39 deaths, including a single family buried under debris.
- The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology failed to accurately forecast the extreme rainfall in Ilam, issuing only a 'stay updated' advisory rather than a warning.
- Experts attribute the forecasting difficulties to climate change, lack of sufficient weather stations, technical limitations, and changing rainfall patterns concentrated at monsoon end.
- Government disaster preparedness efforts were inadequate for the unexpected landslides, with damage worsened by night-time rain and unexpected water flow paths.
