India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
At least 469 people have died and around 1,400 are still missing after devastating floods and landslides hit parts of Nepal earlier this week. Rescue teams are continuing to search for survivors and those who have not yet been traced.
The disaster has also left hundreds of Indians stranded or out of contact. As of Thursday night, 290 Indians in Nepal were still uncontactable, while 84 had been rescued. The rescued group included 63 workers linked to the Trishuli-I hydropower project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu.
Devastating floods in Nepal have killed at least 469 people and left 1,400 missing, while China warns of a new flood risk from a threatening barrier lake; 290 Indians remain uncontactable following the disaster that also damaged roads and hydropower projects.
Even as rescue efforts continue, Nepal is now facing another possible flood threat.
China warns of another flood threat
China’s Ministry of Water Resources has warned that another barrier lake has formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers in Nepal.
The lake held an estimated 2 million cubic metres of water as of Thursday morning. Water was still flowing into it, raising fears that the natural barrier could give way.
If the barrier breaks, a large volume of water could rush downstream into Nepal, potentially triggering another flood in areas already badly affected by the earlier disaster.
How the Nepal floods unfolded
The worst flooding was reported on August 26, particularly in Rasuwa district near the Nepal-China border.
The Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors were hit by a massive surge of water carrying mud, rocks and ice. Homes, bridges and roads were swept away or buried under debris.
The Trishuli River rose by as much as nine metres in just 30 minutes on Wednesday. The flood carried debris nearly 170 km across seven districts.
A related mudslide also hit Gyirong in Tibet, where some roads were reportedly buried under more than two metres of soil.
What triggered the disaster?
Initial reports said an earthquake had triggered an avalanche, which then led to the flooding.
The US Geological Survey later said the seismic activity recorded during the event was caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow. The collapse sent huge amounts of water and debris downstream, affecting parts of Nepal and Tibet.
Satellite images later helped scientists understand the scale of the event. They described it as a “glacier-inclusive flood”, involving water, ice, rock and sediment.
Roads, bridges and hydropower projects damaged
The floods have severely damaged Nepal’s roads and other infrastructure, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach some of the affected areas.
The Department of Roads said several sections of the 42-km stretch between Betrawati in Nuwakot and Rasuwagadhi had been damaged.
Around 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and nearly 40 km of black-topped roads were also affected.
Hydropower projects, including the Trishuli and Devighat facilities, suffered damage as well.
The destruction has cut off several communities and made the search for missing people and recovery of bodies more difficult.
India sends 47.5 tonnes of relief material
India has increased its relief assistance to Nepal following the floods.
After sending 10 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief supplies on Wednesday, India sent another 37.5 tonnes on Thursday. The total assistance has now reached 47.5 tonnes.
The material includes temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, medicines and food packets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured him that India will continue to provide humanitarian assistance.
Nepal’s security forces are carrying out search operations with the help of helicopters, drones and ground teams. Searches are being conducted along riverbanks, at isolated settlements, hospitals and hydropower sites.
Families of missing people have been visiting hospitals and rescue centres in Kathmandu, Chitwan and other areas, hoping to find their relatives.
Authorities are collecting phone numbers, last-known locations and other information from families to help trace those who remain missing.
The scale of the destruction is still being assessed. Rescue teams are facing damaged roads and bridges, a large number of missing people and the added risk posed by the newly formed barrier lake.
Nepal floods: Helpline numbers
Indian Embassy in Kathmandu / MEA 24×7 control room:
+977 985 131 6807
+977 970 910 7500
+977 981 032 6117
Nepal Police emergency: 100
Nepal Police toll-free: 16600141516
Tourist Police: 1144 (toll-free)
Traffic Police: 103
Maharashtra government helplines:
9321587143
1070
022-22027990
