Eight people are known to have died and at least three more are missing after two landslides in Nepal on Monday 25 August 2014. The first incident happened at Baramchi in Sindhupalchowk District, where three houses were destroyed and five people are known to have died. These have been named as Ganesh Kumari Thapa, Nir Bahadur Thapa, Dambar Bahadur Thapa and Bhagawat Thapa, who all perished at the scene of the event, and Chandrawati Thapa, who died later while being treated at Jalbire Hospital. Two further people are still missing following this event. The second landslide occurred at Pokhara on Lake Phewa, where three people died and a further one is missing after a landslide struck a restaurant popular with tourists. All four are described as staff at the restaurant.
The aftermath of the 25 August 2014 Pokhara landslide. Setopati.
The landslides have been linked to heavy rains associated with the Nepali monsoon, which lasts from June till September, with the heaviest rainfall usually occurring in July when many areas typically experience over 400 mm of rain; the Pokhara area is particularly wet, typically receiving over 800 mm of rainfall in July and over 600 in August. Landslides are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments, allowing them to flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by heavy rainfall, and Nepal frequently suffers many landslip-related fatalities during the monsoon season.
The approximate locations of the two 25 August 2014 Nepal landslides. Google Maps.
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