Torrential Rainfall Triggers Severe Waterlogging in Dhangadhi

Dhangadhi – Days of relentless rain have brought life to a standstill in Dhangadhi, the temporary capital of Sudurpashchim Province, with widespread flooding exposing critical weaknesses in the city’s infrastructure and urban planning.

In the past 24 hours alone, Dhangadhi received a record-breaking 200 mm of rainfall, the highest ever recorded in the city’s history, according to the Mahakali Basin Office. The heaviest downpour began early Monday morning, inundating homes, businesses, and roads, particularly in low-lying areas such as Bishalnagar, Milanchowk, Shivanagar, Hasanpur, Campus Road, Malikatol, and Krishnanagar.

Although no casualties have been reported so far, the impact on daily life has been significant. Shops remain submerged, and residents are facing immense difficulties navigating flooded streets. Authorities have warned of continued moderate rainfall throughout the week, with growing concern for areas near the swelling Mohana and Doda rivers.

Neighboring regions have also been affected. Belauri in Kanchanpur district recorded an even higher 267 mm of rainfall, while Khallakot in Krishnapur Municipality received 184 mm in the same period. The Nepal Weather Forecasting Division has urged communities across Sudurpashchim to stay on high alert, calling the recent downpour “extremely heavy.”

Local residents and officials have pointed to years of mismanaged development and neglected infrastructure as the root cause of Dhangadhi’s recurring flooding woes. Ageing drainage systems, the unchecked encroachment of natural waterways, and road construction projects completed without proper sewage planning have all contributed to the city’s growing vulnerability

The residents are compelled to deal with the same problems every year, as no one addresses the real issue, which is that the city was not built to handle this kind of water.

Experts say that unless urgent improvements are made to Dhangadhi’s urban planning and drainage systems, extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, will continue to cause serious disruptions.

As rain continues to fall across the province, authorities are monitoring river levels and have warned communities in flood-prone areas to prepare for potential evacuations if the situation worsens.