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In the aftermath of devastating flash floods in Nepal, rescue operations are intensifying as the death toll has now surpassed 900. The focus is on reaching over 900 workers believed to be trapped underground at hydropower projects in the flood-stricken region.
The floods, which began with an unprecedented deluge of ice, rock, mud, and debris on the Nepal-Tibet border, were caused by a glacier collapse. The disaster has killed 903 people in Nepal, with another 4,247 reported missing, according to the country's disaster authority. Across the border in China's Tibet region, at least 16 people have died, and 546 are missing, according to Chinese authorities.
Rescue teams, including experts from China and India, are working tirelessly to reach the trapped workers in about a dozen hydropower project tunnels. These tunnels, blocked by mud and rock debris, pose a significant challenge. Nepal army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet told Reuters that a large amount of debris has been deposited, making it difficult to open the tunnels.
The scene is one of overwhelming tragedy and urgency. As workers and soldiers dig and shovel under the cover of night, relatives of missing loved ones watch on, hoping for any sign of life. The Nepal army has suspended rescue operations several times due to bad weather and concerns that a lake formed by the disaster could trigger new flooding.
Hundreds of bodies, many unidentified, have been buried in shallow graves as they began decomposing in the humid weather. At a hospital in the capital of Kathmandu, morgues have reached capacity, and families are flocking to other hospitals in hopes of finding missing loved ones.
The Red Cross has estimated that more than 90,000 people are likely to have been affected by the disaster, which China has linked to the effects of climate change. Prime Minister Balendra Shah described the flood as an "unprecedented and devastating natural disaster" and expressed determination to save the lives of citizens.
Despite the adverse weather, difficult terrain, and continuing risks, nearly 21,000 security personnel, civilian workers, and volunteers are involved in the rescue operations. Accessibility has been restored on many roads and highways, but almost 40 kilometers of roads have been swept away.
China has sent more than 2,100 rescue workers, allocated at least 220 million yuan ($33mn) to support relief efforts, and airdropped equipment and supplies to frontline rescuers. Beijing has also reported that 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries are unaccounted for in Tibet.
Although Nepal has said it does not need foreign help in general search and rescue efforts, it has accepted assistance from India and China, particularly for their expertise in tunnel rescue. China has sent nine tunnel rescue experts to Nepal and shared satellite information with Nepalese authorities.
As the floodwaters recede and the death toll continues to rise, the Nepalese government and international agencies are working together to provide relief and support to those affected. The challenges ahead are immense, but the resilience and determination of the Nepalese people are evident in the ongoing efforts to save lives and rebuild communities.
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