Nepal floods and landslides kill 17

Heavy monsoon rains have triggered landslides and floods across Nepal, killing at least 17 people and injuring seven others, officials said. Nepal has been lashed by heavy rains in the last three days, with the capital Kathmandu and the country's east hit hardest by the disasters, reports SBS NEWS.

Seven people have been reported missing and four others have been rescued in several parts of the country, according to police.

"The floods and landslides damaged parts of at least 10 highways. Emergency workers have removed blockages in some areas while others are being cleared," said Umakanta Adhikari, an official at the Home Ministry.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology on Saturday warned that water levels of several rivers in south-eastern Nepal had reached dangerous levels. 

The weather forecasting division has warned of continuous rains and strong winds in several parts of the country over the weekend.

SMS alerts have been sent to people living in the areas, according to the department.

The monsoon in Nepal, which lasts from July to September, triggers disastrous landslides and flooding every year, killing hundreds of people.