KATHMANDU, July 13: At least 43 people have been killed and 24 others are missing following landslides and flooding triggered by incessant monsoon rain in the central and eastern parts of the country. With the downpours now shifting toward the western region, the government has alerted residents around riverbanks in the western Terai and evacuated scores of locals living in flood-prone areas in Banke.

According to Nepal Police, the death toll rose to 43 on Saturday night from 21 on Friday. Five individuals were killed each in Lalitpur and Bhojpur, four in Makwanpur, three each in Kathmandu, Khotang, Okhaldhunga and Kavre, two each in Dhading, Jhapa and Sindhuli and one each in Parsa, Ramechhap, Ilam, Sunsari, Bara, Dolpa, Siraha, Rautahat, Dhanusha, Palpa and Chitwan in different rain-related incidents .

As many as 24 are missing in landslides and floods and 24 have been receiving treatment at various hospitals and health centers according to press statement released by Nepal Police on Saturday evening.