At least 40 persons have been killed and dozens are missing in unprecedented floods, landslides and house collapses nation-wide, police and independent reports said Tuesday night.

The biggest rain in 30 years that triggered the floods, landslides and house collapses has killed 14 persons in Kathmandu Valley, injured 11 and 15 others are missing, police said.

A dozen people have been killed in Makwanpur, seven in Kavre and three in Syangjha districts. The rains have damaged infrastructure and swept standing crops causing millions of rupees in damage.

Floods swept away 200 deer in the Royal Chitwan National Park. Due to loss of habitat, there has been a sudden increase of snake bites. At least 40 persons have died of snake bites at Narayani Zonal hospital.

The final death toll and damage will be much higher when complete reports come in. nepalnews.com br July 23, 2002