- Hundreds Remain Missing as Search Teams Battle Mud and Debris; Authorities Warn of Risk of Another Major Flood
NUWAKOT, Nepal: The death toll from a devastating flash flood in Nepal has risen to 469, police said Friday, as rescue teams continued searching through mud and debris for survivors while fears grew over the possibility of further flooding.
The disaster, triggered by a massive surge of water, rock, ice and mud following a glacier collapse in the Himalayas, swept through villages and valleys, destroying homes, power facilities, roads and bridges along a key route connecting Kathmandu with Lhasa in Tibet.
Nearly 1,000 people remain missing in Nepal and neighboring Tibet, including at least 540 foreigners, according to officials. Helicopters and heavy machinery have been deployed in rescue operations, while emergency teams, including sniffer-dog units, continue recovering bodies and delivering essential supplies to isolated communities.
Survivor Dibga Tamang, who was among those rescued from the badly affected Rasuwa area, described the devastation in heartbreaking terms.
“All of our people have gone. They are dead. I have no one left waiting for me. Everything and everyone is gone.”
Fresh Flood Threat Raises Alarm
Authorities have warned that the disaster may not be over. A temporary lake formed by debris blocking the Bhotekoshi River is reportedly rising, raising concerns that it could burst and unleash another destructive surge.
Across the border, Chinese authorities warned that around 3 million cubic metres of water could flow into an already dammed lake over the coming days. Chinese state media reported that the risk of a breach remained high, with peak water flow expected around September 1.
Heavy Damage Along Nepal-China Border
The Gyirong border crossing in Tibet was also severely affected, with powerful torrents of muddy water and debris sweeping through infrastructure and cutting off access roads.
Chinese authorities reported 558 people missing in Gyirong County, including 260 foreign nationals, while three deaths had been confirmed on the Chinese side. Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited the affected area as rescue and clearance operations continued.
Families Await News of Missing Loved Ones
The tragedy has left families across several countries desperately awaiting information. Missing foreign nationals reportedly include citizens from more than two dozen countries, while India, Australia, South Korea and other nations have offered assistance and rescue support.
In Nepal, authorities have recovered more than 100 bodies from river systems in the plains, while temporary facilities are being established to accommodate the victims and assist grieving families.
Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who visited the flood-affected Nuwakot district, said government agencies were operating at full capacity.
“Our first priority now is to save the life of each citizen, search and rescue the missing, treat the injured and provide immediate relief to affected families,” Shah said.
The catastrophe represents a major challenge for Nepal’s government, which took office only five months ago. Authorities said, however, that the country’s disaster-response institutions had gained significant experience from previous national emergencies, including the devastating 2015 earthquake, which claimed nearly 9,000 lives.
BY: The Times Union
