Mass burials carried out across flood-hit Nepal as search for missing Brits continues

The death toll from recent catastrophic floods and landslides in Nepal has surpassed 1,000, according to official reports, with more than 3,900 people still missing. The disaster, which began on August 26, caused widespread destruction in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river basins, triggering mass evacuations and leaving many communities isolated. Among the missing are 583 foreign nationals, including 48 British citizens. Rescue operations continue along the Nepal-China border, where search teams comb through debris and mud for survivors. The Nepali government has declared a national day of mourning, prompting the country’s diaspora abroad to organize vigils and fundraising efforts. In Australia, the Nepali community has mobilized to support those affected by the disaster. Community organizations in Victoria and New South Wales plan to hold candlelight vigils to honor the victims and offer solidarity to those impacted. Dr. Tilak Pokhrel, president of the Australian Nepalese Multicultural Centre (ANMC), emphasized the need for unity during this difficult time. “We want to have an event where we all can gather and show our solidarity to support them,” he said. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed that the number of Australians missing in the floods has risen to 39. She announced a $5 million support package to aid relief efforts, urging Australians to contribute through the Emergency Action Alliance website. Meanwhile, Melbourne student Rakshya Pandey described the emotional toll on families affected by the floods. Her family’s home and two grocery stores in the Nuwakot district were destroyed, and her father remains hospitalized after sustaining injuries during the disaster. “I feel so helpless,” she said, expressing concern about potential future flooding in Nepal. Efforts to locate missing loved ones remain challenging, particularly for those in remote areas. Ashok Bahadur Dhungel, a resident of Canberra, is struggling to contact his nephew, who works at the Upper Trishuli hydropower plant. His mother, who resides in the Nuwakot district, has survived but remains unreachable due to power outages. “We hope he is still alive,” Dhungel said. The Tibetan community in Australia has also expressed deep concern over the disaster, with Tenzin Khangsar, co-chair of the Australia Tibet Council, stating that prayer events will be organized to commemorate the victims. Diaspora groups are actively raising funds for the Nepali government’s disaster relief initiatives. Chiran Tiwari, president of the Nepalese Welfare Society in Sydney, mentioned the creation of a GoFundMe page to support relief efforts. In Nepal, mass burials have begun in response to the overwhelming number of fatalities. Authorities are working to preserve DNA samples and record identifying details to facilitate the identification process. Temporary graves marked with blue numbers are being prepared near a forested area outside Kathmandu. Rescue teams continue searching for survivors in areas where roads and transportation routes have been severely disrupted. The immediate focus remains on locating approximately 900 workers missing from 12 hydropower projects affected by the floods, with about 500 believed to be trapped inside tunnels. Brigadier General Raja Ram Basnet, Nepal’s army spokesperson, noted that international experts are assisting in rescue operations at several hydropower sites. Visuals from the military depict rescuers navigating through mud and debris in search of signs of life. At the Upper Trishuli 3A site, teams have made progress in breaking through a mud-swamped tunnel, using drills and excavators to create access points. Efforts to locate and extract individuals trapped in these conditions continue, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by both local and international responders.