The death toll from devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet has risen to 626 this morning, with over 2000 people remaining missing. Police have recovered 233 bodies in Chitwan, 158 in Nawalparasi East, 48 in Gorkha, 47 in Nawalparasi West, 45 in Dhading, 41 in Nuwakot, 31 in Tanahun and 13 in Rasuwa.
Search and rescue operations are underway across the affected districts of the Himalayan nation. Officials said that the police are coordinating with residents and other agencies to locate missing people and assist those stranded by the floods. Rescued people are being taken from high-risk areas to safer locations. Additionally, the search and rescue officials are working to clear roads blocked by flood debris and landslides to reopen access and facilitate relief operations.
The Ministry of External Affairs yesterday said that 320 Indian nationals remain uncontactable or are reportedly missing following the flash flood tragedy on Wednesday. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, around 100 people of Indian origin, holding other nationalities also remain uncontactable. Addressing the media in New Delhi, Mr Jaiswal said that 63 Indian nationals working at Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project were rescued from the affected area.
Mr Jaiswal said that on the Chinese side, around 400 Indian nationals are safe and in contact with their families. Mr Jaiswal said that the government has set up a control room in the Ministry of External Affairs, which is working round the clock. He said, Indian embassies, both in Kathmandu and Beijing, have also set up 24 X 7 helplines. The facility has been set up to coordinate rescue, relief, and tracking efforts for Indian nationals affected by the disaster. Citizens seeking information or assistance can contact the MEA Control Room via telephone (+91 11 2308 8718, +91 11 2308 8719, +91 11 2301 2113), WhatsApp (+91 9968291988), or email(situationroom@mea.gov.in). The ministry is alslo maintaining round-the-clock coordination through dedicated emergency contact lines operated by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu (+977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500, +977 981 032 6117) and the Embassy of India in Beijing (+86 18514284905).
The massive flash flood that struck Nepal’s Rasuwa on Wednesday originated in the Tibetan region of China. It swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, leaving a trail of destruction in the country.
