Rescuers in Nepal and Tibet have pushed through deep mud and the threat of more flooding as they search for thousands of people still missing after a deadly wall of water tore through the Himalayan border area, wiping out entire villages.
As of Sunday, the number of missing stood at 3,048, including hundreds of foreigners. There were 768 confirmed deaths, and some bodies may have been carried downstream as far as India, according to reports.
Nepal has started the difficult task of burying some of the dead, but first taking DNA samples so families can later claim the bodies and perform traditional funeral rites once they are identified.
The disaster struck on Wednesday morning and was caused by a glacial collapse that sent a massive surge of water and debris downstream, the US Geological Survey said.
Nepal’s foreign minister called for global action on the climate crisis, saying the small, poor Himalayan nation is suffering far more than its fair share of the impact.
“Despite having only 0.1% contribution to the global emissions, people of Nepal have become major victims of climate change,” Shisir Khanal said on Saturday.
More than 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal so far. On Sunday, Chinese authorities reported 16 deaths and 546 missing, including 261 foreign nationals—104 from Nepal, 49 from India, 33 from Latvia, 18 from the US, and 15 from the UK.
In a hopeful development over the weekend, Nepal’s army managed to insert a pipe into a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydroelectric site, where more than 100 workers are believed to be trapped.
Home minister Sudan Gurung said: “We have already started sending air through the small opening, and we will now begin excavation work and send the rescue team inside.”
It is a race against time to reach the workers, who may still be alive in the tunnels. Rescue efforts are focused on the Trishuli 3A and 3B sites, where 933 hydropower workers are among the missing, according to Nepal’s disaster authority.
Nepal warned on Sunday of rising flood waters and urged rescue teams to be careful. “We have received information that the flood flow in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa has increased further,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said.
Flood warnings were sent to people’s phones early on Sunday as crews worked to clear a highway linking Kathmandu to one of the areas hit by the devastating floods.
In Dhading, one of the worst-hit regions in Nepal, some people began returning to their ruined homes to see what could be saved. Residents of the flood-hit villages said they were struggling to cope with the constant alarms they had received since the initial floods.
One resident, Govind Shreshta, told the Associated Press: “Sometimes they say a flood is coming, then we have to run again to higher ground, even at night. There is also rain. It’s really difficult for me. I have a 72-year-old father and 70-year-old mum. I must carry them and I am exhausted. It’s going on like this for those who are still alive.”
The government estimated that rebuilding Nepal could cost billions of dollars.
Officials in Nepal asked for forensic testing kits to identify bodies and freezer units to store them, saying bodies that had been in water could decompose faster.
Survivors now face an agonizing wait to learn the fate of missing relatives and the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from scratch.
“All the settlements near the river were swept away,” Buddhi Ram Dangol told AgencIn Nepal’s Nuwakot district, a resident told Agence France-Presse, “There is nothing left.”
Firefighters were seen conducting search and rescue operations along a river in Gyirong county, Tibet, in a photo provided by cnsphoto/Reuters.
In Tibet, where Chinese authorities are the only source of information, rescue efforts were briefly halted in the hardest-hit area of Gyirong due to the risk of further flooding from a newly formed lake. According to the state news agency Xinhua, 2,141 rescuers were stationed near the Gyirong site, with over 500 in the worst-affected area.
In Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, relatives and friends gathered outside the main government hospital from early morning, desperately seeking news of missing loved ones. Many moved between the help desk and the hospital noticeboard, clutching photographs and scanning lists of injured patients, hoping to find them.
Dil Maya Lama stood weeping at the hospital’s help desk, searching for information about her missing 26-year-old brother, a driver for a hydropower company in Rasuwa. She had traveled from Ramechhap, about 80 miles (130km) away. “I came here hoping I might find him,” she told the Associated Press. “There is no information about him.”
Nelza Moktan anxiously sought news of her missing cousin, who also worked as a driver in Rasuwa. “I feel hopeless. It has already been four days,” she said.
This report includes contributions from the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the situation you described ranging from basic to more advanced questions
General Situational Questions
Q What is currently happening in Nepal and Tibet
A Severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rainfall have led to a rising death toll in both regions Rescue teams are working to reach people who are stranded including a specific group trapped inside a mountain tunnel
Q Why is the death toll rising and not just a fixed number
A The number is rising because the flooding happened suddenly As floodwaters recede and rescue teams reach remote villages they are discovering more casualties It takes time to account for everyone in the affected areas
Q Where exactly is the tunnel where people are trapped
A The tunnel is located in a mountainous region of Nepal It is likely a road tunnel that became blocked by a landslide or filled with water trapping vehicles and people inside
Q Why are there new flood concerns if the rain has stopped
A Even if the rain stops rivers downstream are still rising because water from the mountains is flowing down Also the ground is completely saturated meaning any additional rain could cause flash floods instantly Melting snow from the quakes can also add to the water volume
Rescue Safety Questions
Q How are they rescuing the people trapped in the tunnel
A Rescue teams are using heavy machinery to clear debris from the tunnel entrances They are also trying to drill small boreholes to send in food water and oxygen and to establish communication with the trapped group
Q Is it safe to travel to Nepal or Tibet right now
A It is highly advised to avoid nonessential travel to the affected regions Major highways are blocked and there is a high risk of landslides and flash floods Tourists are being advised to stay in safe elevated areas and follow local government instructions
Q What should I do if I have a family member missing in the area
A You should contact your countrys embassy or consulate in Nepal or China They have emergency hotlines and are coordinating with local authorities to track foreign nationals You should also try contacting local hotels or trekking agencies where they were staying
Practical Preparedness Questions
Q What causes these massive floods in mountainous areas like Nepal
