Search operations resumed in Nepal after a brief suspension, as emergency teams continue their efforts to locate thousands of people missing following a catastrophic flood that devastated parts of the Himalayan region. The disaster, triggered by a tsunami-like wave of water and debris, swept through villages and claimed hundreds of lives, leaving behind a trail of destruction and uncertainty for survivors. The death toll has climbed to 616, according to police in Nepal, while the number of missing individuals surpassed 2,400. Emergency responders have recovered 586 bodies, though some of the deceased were carried downstream as far as India. The tragedy has hit hard in areas rich with energy infrastructure, with 933 hydropower workers added to the list of missing persons, joining trekkers and pilgrims heading to Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash. Survivors describe scenes of utter devastation, with entire settlements near rivers swept away, leaving little behind but memories of loss. Survivor Buddhi Ram Dangol recounted the horror of losing everything, stating, “All the settlements near the river were swept away. There is nothing left.” Others, like Samjhana Thing, wait anxiously for news of missing family members, expressing hope that their loved ones are safe. Two Irish citizens, Santosh Sahu and Spandan Sahu, are among those unaccounted for, prompting the Department of Foreign Affairs to monitor the situation closely alongside international partners. Nepal faces an urgent need for financial aid, with Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle estimating the country requires $4 billion to $5 billion (€3–4 billion) for reconstruction. He noted that the figure is an estimate, with assessments of loss and damage ongoing. The Red Cross reported that the trauma of the disaster has been “enormous,” potentially affecting up to 93,000 people, with the death toll expected to rise further. Emergency teams struggle under dire conditions, facing dwindling supplies of food and water, compounded by the looming threat of additional flooding. The search for survivors has been complicated by the formation of large lakes due to the deluge of ice and mud. One such lake, situated in the affected region, poses a direct danger to rescuers, prompting authorities to urge all teams to relocate to safer positions. In Chinese-controlled Tibet, where information is limited to state reports, authorities initially suspended rescue operations in the hardest-hit area of Gyirong due to fears of renewed flooding. However, the threat was later deemed manageable, allowing operations to resume. State news agency Xinhua reported that two villagers were rescued in the area earlier this morning. On the Nepali side of the border, military forces have been working tirelessly to reach survivors trapped in the tunnel of the Trishuli 3A hydropower project. Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet explained that locating entry points into the tunnel has proven extremely difficult, despite the deployment of two helicopters. So far, 350 workers and residents have been safely evacuated from the site, but efforts continue to rescue more than a hundred others still trapped. Eyewitness accounts highlight the sheer speed and ferocity of the disaster. Buddha Tamang, who survived by taking refuge in a tunnel at the dam where he works, described how senior officers on the other side were swept away. After being stranded for over 24 hours, he was eventually airlifted to safety. The scale of the crisis is underscored by the fact that 1,924 people, including 517 foreigners, are currently out of contact in Nepal. In India, authorities have recovered seven bodies from rivers originating in Nepal, believed to be flood victims. Meanwhile, in Tibet, where access for foreign journalists is restricted, seven people have died and 554 remain missing, according to state media. As Nepal continues to monitor two lakes upstream of the flood zone, officials emphasize that flood risks will persist until both lakes have fully drained. Satellite images reveal the extent of the damage, showing the formation of the lakes near the site of a glacier collapse that unleashed a torrent of rock, ice, mud, and debris into river systems. This catastrophic event leveled homes and destroyed bridges, leaving communities in ruins.
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