Fire incidents continue even during rainy season

KATHMANDU: It may seem unlikely, but fire incidents are occurring across Nepal even during the peak of the monsoon season.

Despite continuous rainfall in many parts of the country, recent fire outbreaks have resulted in significant loss of life and property.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), six fire incidents were reported on 19 and 20 July. These incidents claimed six lives and injured one person, affecting 40 families in total.

From mid-April until 20 July, a total of 969 fire incidents have occurred across the country. These have resulted in 14 deaths, 140 injuries, and direct impact on 1,079 families, according to NDRRMA data.

In the same period, 158 forest fires have been recorded, injuring two people and affecting 27 households. Meanwhile, 273 windstorm incidents have led to eight fatalities, 39 injuries, and damage to 531 families.

There have also been 63 recorded snakebite incidents, causing five deaths and 64 injuries, with 70 families affected. Similarly, 137 flood incidents have been reported across Nepal, resulting in 13 deaths, 20 missing persons, and impact on 1,246 families.

Landslides remain a serious concern, with 183 incidents recorded so far. These have caused seven deaths, nine injuries, and affected 199 families.

Lightning strikes have proven particularly deadly, with 224 incidents resulting in 28 deaths, 160 injuries, and disruption to 260 families. Additionally, 11 people have died due to drowning, while 12 have lost their lives in animal attacks.

These statistics highlight that even during the rainy season, a wide range of natural and environmental hazards—including fire—continue to pose serious risks to public safety.