The death toll in Nepal flood climbs to 56

The heavy downpour that started on Friday last week has claimed 56 lives in Nepal. Over 2000 houses have collapsed and 39000 have submerged.

Transportation via the East West Highway, one of the longest in the Himalayan country, has been suspended after a pillar at a connecting bridge was washed away in the flooding.

Yesterday, the Nepal government Cabinet held an emergency meeting. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba ordered district administrations to intensify rescue operations.