Eight people are known to have died and many more are missing following a massive landslide near Jure in the Sindhupalchowk District of Nepal on Saturday 2 August 2014. At least forty people were also injured in the incident, one of whom has been identified as a Belgian national by local authorities. The landslip has also blocked the path of the Sunkoshi (or Kosi) River, provoking fears of flash flooding, and teams of engineers and geologists are trying to clear the dam safely. Potentially water can build up behind a mud dam until the weight of the water overcomes the resistance of the blockage, leading to flash flooding as a giant wave passes down the length of the river. It is feared that is not cleared safely this dam could lead to flooding as far downriver as Bihar in India.
The scene of the 2 August 2014 Jure landslide. The New Indian Express.
The landslide has 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. 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.
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