At least 29 people were killed and over 600 others injured as a massive storm lashed Nepal, authorities said on Monday.

Of the 29 victims, 28 were from the Bara district, while one person was killed in Parsa, The Himalayan Times reported.

The storm accompanied by hail and heavy rain struck the two districts on Sunday night.

The victims were either killed after getting buried under rubble of houses and metal roofs or due to coming in contact with live wires.

According to a senior official, majority of the injured were from Pheta and Bhulahi Bharwaliya areas in Bara.

The storm destroyed hundreds of houses, uprooted tress, electric poles and damaged over 12 passenger buses, the police said.

Security agencies, including two battalions of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force of Nepal were mobilized to carry out rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

An emergency meeting held in Bara on Monday morning decided to provide 300,000 Nepalese rupees each the victims' families along with a relief package including tents, food items and medical supplies.

The Parsa district authorities urged the Nepal government to declare a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli was scheduled to visit Bara to take stock of the disaster.</s>KATHMANDU, NEPAL - A freak storm tore down houses and overturned cars and trucks as it swept across southern Nepal killing at least 27 people and leaving more than 600 injured, officials said Monday as a major rescue operation gathered pace.

The rare spring storm battered the rural district of Bara and adjoining areas late Sunday with high winds. Five children were among the dead, the home ministry said, as rescuers battled to get relief supplies to the region and evacuate injured.

The winds were so fierce that they overturned a bus carrying passengers, witnesses said. Houses, trees and electricity pylons were all toppled in the storm.

Injured victims flocked to local hospitals who were unable to cope and at least seven people were airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment.

"We were in a shop when the wind started to pick up," Jay Prakash Das, a Bara resident, told AFP.

"It suddenly became stronger and we saw people running to shelter. We closed our shutter and stayed in. When it died down after a minute or two we opened the shutter to see everything flattened ... trees, houses everything.

He added: "We rushed out to help. A man had died right next to our building under a tree. People had fractured bones and many had head injuries."

"I've never seen anything like this. The winds took away everything, my home and my family," Ram Babu Patel, 45, whose wife was killed in the storm, told AFP by telephone.

"I was at home getting ready for dinner when the storm hit -- it was unbelievable. We have nothing left."

Many of the victims were crushed to death under the debris of their houses or by fallen trees and poles. The strong winds overturned parked cars.

Prakash Tharu, a volunteer in Bara district hit hard by the storm, described the scene of devastation in the villages.

"The storm destroyed everything in its path. Houses have no roofs and trees are all down," Tharu said.

"There is a desperate need for food and relief."

Rescuers struggled to reach many settlements blocked by fallen trees and electricity poles.

"Security bodies including the army have been working intensely since Sunday night on rescues and relief," said Rajesh Poudel, Bara's district chief.

Every year hundreds die in landslides and floods during Nepal's monsoon season, but storms causing such high casualties in spring are rare.

Nepal's difficult terrain and limited infrastructure often leave emergency workers struggling to reach far-flung areas.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed his condolences and said that the government would do what it could for treatment of the injured.

The provincial government has announced free treatment and financial assistance of 300,000 rupees ($2,710) for families of the dead.</s>KATHMANDU, Nepal — Officials say more than 20 people were killed and hundreds were injured by a rainstorm that swept southern Nepal on Sunday.

Government administrator Rajesh Poudel said the number of deaths would likely increase as the storm had hit many villages in the Bara district, located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of the capital, Kathmandu.

He said police and army rescuers were fanned around the district trying to reach the villages, but rescue was difficult at night.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>KATHMANDU: At least 27 people have been killed and hundreds injured after stormy weather hit southern Nepal, destroying houses, uprooting trees and toppling electricity poles, officials said.

The thunderstorm swept through the district of Bara and adjoining areas late on Sunday (Mar 31), Bara's police chief Sanu Ram Bhattarai told AFP.

"Search and rescue workers have been deployed," Bhattarai said, warning that the toll may rise, with information about the disaster still coming in.

Storms causing such high casualties in spring are rare in Nepal.



The winds were so fierce that they overturned a bus carrying passengers, witnesses said. Houses, trees and electricity pylons were all toppled in the storm.

Injured victims flocked to local hospitals who were unable to cope and at least seven people were airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment.

"I've never seen anything like this. The winds took away everything, my home and my family," Ram Babu Patel, 45, whose wife was killed in the storm, told AFP by telephone.

"I was at home getting ready for dinner when the storm hit - it was unbelievable. We have nothing left."

Many of the victims were crushed to death under the debris of their houses or by fallen trees and poles. The strong winds overturned parked cars on the roads.

Prakash Tharu, a volunteer in Bara district hit hard by the storm, described the scene of devastation in the villages.

"The storm destroyed everything in its path. Houses have no roofs and trees are all down," Tharu said.

"There is a desperate need for food and relief."

Rescuers struggled to reach many settlements blocked by fallen trees and electricity poles.

"Security bodies including the army have been working intensely since Sunday night on rescues and relief," said Rajesh Poudel, Bara's district chief.

Every year hundreds die in landslides and floods during Nepal's monsoon season, but storms causing such high casualties in spring are rare.

Nepal's difficult terrain and limited infrastructure often leaves emergency workers struggling to reach far-flung areas.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed his condolences and said that the government would do its best for treatment of the injured.

"Helicopters are on standby for necessary rescue and relief tomorrow morning," Oli said.



The provincial government has announced free treatment and a financial assistance of 300,000 rupees (US$2,710) for families of the dead.</s>Image copyright EPA Image caption Homes were destroyed in Managadwa village in Bara district

At least 30 people have been killed and hundreds more injured as a violent thunderstorm swept southern Nepal.

The freak storm destroyed houses, overturned vehicles, uprooted trees and brought down power lines in Bara and Parsa districts, officials said.

The casualties included passengers in a bus that was blown off a road, witnesses said.

Kusum Kalu, 70, told the BBC she had escaped death "by a fraction of a second" when the storm struck.

"I was about to leave the house and just as I opened the door the roof of the house fell down," she told BBC Nepali in Bara district.

"I don't think I would have survived had I already gone to bed or been a fraction of a second late to open the door."

Draupadi Devi, in Balbariyam, Bara, told the BBC that every house in her village had been damaged.

"We were five people at home at that time. A wall crumbled and buried us. We somehow managed to get out of the rubble," she said.

Special forces have been sent to the area to help with rescue and relief operations.

Image caption Many people have been made homeless by the storm

Thunderstorms are common during the Nepalese spring, correspondents say, but are rarely violent enough to cause many casualties.

"I've never seen anything like this. The winds took away everything, my home and my family," said Ram Babu Patel, whose wife died in the storm.

"I was at home getting ready for dinner when the storm hit. It was unbelievable. We have nothing left," he told AFP news agency.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Hospitals were inundated with patients after the storm

Rescuers in Bara district said emergency aid was desperately needed.

"The storm destroyed everything in its path. Houses have no roofs and trees are all down," volunteer Prakash Tharu said.

Search teams were unable to reach some areas because roads were blocked by fallen trees and other debris. Police warned that the death toll could rise.

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said the government was doing all it could for the injured.</s>At least 30 people have been killed and hundreds more injured in a violent thunderstorm that hit southern Nepal.

The freak storm destroyed houses, overturned vehicles, uprooted trees and brought down power lines in Bara and Parsa districts, officials said.

The casualties included passengers in a bus that was blown off a road, witnesses said.

Special forces have been sent to the area to help with rescue and relief operations.

Thunderstorms are common during the Nepalese spring, correspondents say, but are rarely violent enough to cause many casualties.

"I've never seen anything like this. The winds took away everything, my home and my family," said Ram Babu Patel, whose wife died in the storm.

"I was at home getting ready for dinner when the storm hit. It was unbelievable. We have nothing left," he told AFP news agency.

Rescuers in Bara district said emergency aid was desperately needed.

"The storm destroyed everything in its path. Houses have no roofs and trees are all down," volunteer Prakash Tharu said.

Search teams were unable to reach some areas because roads were blocked by fallen trees and other debris. Police warned that the death toll could rise.

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said the government was doing all it could for the injured.</s>A freak storm tore down houses and overturned cars and trucks as it swept across southern Nepal killing at least 27 people and leaving more than 600 injured, officials said Monday.

The rare spring storm battered the rural district of Bara and adjoining areas late Sunday. Five children were among the dead, the home ministry said, and a major operation was underway Monday to get relief supplies to the region and evacuate injured.

The winds were so fierce that they overturned a bus carrying passengers, witnesses said. Houses, trees and electricity pylons were all toppled in the storm.

Injured victims flocked to local hospitals who were unable to cope and at least seven people were airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment.

"I've never seen anything like this. The winds took away everything, my home and my family," Ram Babu Patel, 45, whose wife was killed in the storm, told AFP by telephone.

"I was at home getting ready for dinner when the storm hit -- it was unbelievable. We have nothing left."

Many of the victims were crushed to death under the debris of their houses or by fallen trees and poles. The strong winds overturned parked cars on the roads.

Prakash Tharu, a volunteer in Bara district hit hard by the storm, described the scene of devastation in the villages.

"The storm destroyed everything in its path. Houses have no roofs and trees are all down," Tharu said.

"There is a desperate need for food and relief."

Rescuers struggled to reach many settlements blocked by fallen trees and electricity poles.

"Security bodies including the army have been working intensely since Sunday night on rescues and relief," said Rajesh Poudel, Bara's district chief.

Every year hundreds die in landslides and floods during Nepal's monsoon season, but storms causing such high casualties in spring are rare.

Nepal's difficult terrain and limited infrastructure often leaves emergency workers struggling to reach far-flung areas.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed his condolences and said that the government would do its best for treatment of the injured.

The provincial government has announced free treatment and a financial assistance of 300,000 rupees ($2,710) for families of the dead.</s>BARA, NEPAL (AFP) - A freak storm tore down houses and overturned cars and trucks as it swept across southern Nepal, killing at least 27 people and leaving more than 600 injured, officials said on Monday (April 1) as a major rescue operation gathered pace.

High winds battered the rural district of Bara and adjoining areas late on Sunday. Five children were among the dead, the Home Ministry said, as rescuers battled to get relief supplies to the region and evacuate injured.

The winds were so fierce that they overturned a bus carrying passengers, witnesses said. Houses, trees and electricity pylons were all toppled in the storm.

Whole villages have been flattened and families were left mourning the death of relatives killed by trees and the debris, an AFP photographer in the stricken region said. Overturned cars blocked some roads.

Injured victims flocked to local hospitals, who were unable to cope, with some people airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment.

"People who went back into their houses for shelter were crushed," said Mr Jay Prakash Das, a Bara resident.

"We rushed out to help. A man had died right next to our building under a tree. People had fractured bones and many had head injuries," Mr Das added.

"I've never seen anything like this. The winds took away everything, my home and my family," Mr Ram Babu Patel, 45, whose wife was killed in the storm, told AFP.

"I was at home getting ready for dinner when the storm hit - it was unbelievable. We have nothing left."

Mr Prakash Tharu, a volunteer in Bara district, said the devastation caused by the storm had left "a desperate need for food and relief".

Rescuers struggled to reach many settlements blocked by fallen trees and electricity poles.

"Security bodies, including the army, have been working intensely since Sunday night on rescues and relief," said Mr Rajesh Poudel, Bara district chief.

Every year, hundreds die in landslides and floods during Nepal's monsoon season, but storms causing such high casualties in spring are rare.

The disaster comes as Nepal nears the fourth anniversary of a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and left millions homeless.

Nepal's difficult terrain and limited infrastructure often leaves emergency workers struggling to reach far-flung areas.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli expressed his condolences and said that the government would do its best for treatment of the injured.

The provincial government has announced free treatment and a financial assistance of 300,000 rupees (S$3,663.92) for families of the dead.</s>Kathmandu: The toll in the massive rainstorm that swept through many places in Nepal on Sunday rose to 35 on Monday, Nepal Army spokesperson Yam Prasad Dhakal said. Earlier, he had said "over 400 were injured in rainstorms in Nepal".

Security forces are on alert and two Mi-17 helicopters have been kept on standby for deployment in case of an emergency.

"We have kept two Mi-17 helicopters on standby for deployment in case of an emergency. A skytruck is ready in Simara. Over 100 army personnel have been deployed in the affected areas and rescue operations are underway," he told ANI over the phone.

Expressing deepest condolences to the victim's families, Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli wrote on his official Twitter handle: "Deepest condolences to the victims' families. Helicopters are ready to be deployed to help the needy. A 'night vision' helicopter is also ready for emergencies."

According to the District Police Office in Parsa, the number of casualties is expected to rise as the storm hit many villages in Bara district, located about 120 kilometres south of Kathmandu, The Himalayan Times reported.

The National Emergency Operation Centre said rescue operations would be difficult, especially during the night, as roads and other communication facilities in those areas have been blocked by fallen trees and electricity poles.

Meanwhile, the people who were injured in the calamity have been safely shifted to the hospital.

“Two battalions were mobilised immediately at the Mid Air Base in Katmandu. Night vision helicopters are on standby with the rescue teams. Our security agencies are waiting for favourable weather conditions," the prime minister's chief advisor Bishnu Rimal was quoted as saying.

Firstpost is now on WhatsApp. For the latest analysis, commentary and news updates, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to Firstpost.com/Whatsapp and hit the Subscribe button.</s>KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Rescuers were struggling Monday to reach villages in southern Nepal cut off by a rainstorm that has killed 28 people and injured hundreds more.

High winds flipped cars and blew one passenger bus off a highway, causing fatalities. Police said other deaths were caused by collapsing walls and falling bricks in homes and toppled trees and electricity poles.

The rainstorm swept through villages in a farming region of Bara and Parsa districts in southern Nepal on Sunday night. The government administrator in Bara, Rajesh Poudel, said Monday morning that 27 were killed there. One person died in neighboring Parsa, administrator Narayan Bhattarai said.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli had previously said on Twitter another 400 were injured.

Police official Sanu Ram Bhattarai said police officers and soldiers from neighboring areas had reached the districts Monday and were trying to reach the villages.

Poudel earlier said the number of deaths would likely increase as the storm had hit many villages in the Bara district, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of the capital, Kathmandu.

Local television showed the injured being brought to a hospital by cars, ambulances and even motorcycles, but roads in many villages had been blocked by fallen trees and electricity poles.

Most people in the district are farmers.
The death toll from thunderstorms in southern Nepal rises to 30. Several houses are ruptured, trees uprooted and vehicles overturned in Bara district and Parsa district.