Kathmandu: Search and rescue operations in flood-affected areas including Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading have continued intensively for the 11th consecutive day following the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River on August 26.
According to the latest update issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday afternoon, as of 2 p.m., the bodies of 1,344 people have been recovered, while around 5,000 people remain missing following the disaster.
Among those reported missing are around 600 foreign nationals from 35 countries. The ministry said a total of 13,098 people, including more than 300 foreign nationals, have so far been rescued alive following the disaster.
In the past 24 hours alone, four people have been rescued alive. Two Nepali nationals were rescued from a tunnel of the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project, one Chinese national from the Upper Trishuli 1 project, and another Nepali national from a house in Betravati.
Meanwhile, the body of another person was recovered from the Upper Trishuli 3A tunnel on Friday.
International Rescue Teams and Specialized Equipment Deployed
Specialized tunnel rescue teams from India, China and South Korea have been deployed, in coordination with the Nepal Army, to damaged hydropower project tunnels, including Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A, 3B, U216 Haku, Chilime and Langtang.
Advanced equipment, drones and load carriers provided by neighboring and friendly countries are being used to make search and rescue operations more effective.
Meanwhile, Australia’s 15-member DART team arrived in Kathmandu on Friday, while Malaysia’s 11-member SMART team arrived on Saturday morning. Both teams have been deployed to the affected areas.
So far, relief materials and rescue teams from various countries and international agencies have entered Nepal through 24 flights.
International Solidarity and Support
Amid the disaster, counterparts and senior foreign diplomats from various countries have held telephone conversations with Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, expressing condolences and pledging support to Nepal.
In this context, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on Saturday evening.
Nepal has also requested additional technical assistance from the international community, including high-capacity drones, LiDAR systems, Bailey bridges, epidemic-control supplies, DNA testing kits, body bags, ground-penetrating radar and mobile air traffic control systems to support search, rescue and relief operations.
Efforts Underway to Restore Connectivity
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an engineering team of the Nepal Army has begun constructing a temporary bridge over the Tadi River to restore the Galchhi–Trishuli road, which was disrupted by the disaster.
Two temporary cable crossings have also been brought into operation at Trishuli Indrenighat and Devighat to facilitate the movement of local residents.
Meanwhile, 155 Nepali nationals who had been staying in China’s Kerung area returned to Nepal through the Tatopani border point on Friday. Another 127 Nepali nationals are expected to return through the same border point on Saturday.
Search and rescue operations remain underway as authorities continue efforts to locate those still missing and provide relief to communities severely affected by the Bhotekoshi flood.
