Nepal Lays to Rest Flood Victims as Death Toll Exceeds 900

In a somber response to the devastating flash floods that struck the Nepal-Tibet border last week, Nepal has commenced mass burials for the victims, with the death toll surpassing 900. The catastrophe, which occurred after a glacial collapse, swept through villages, leaving behind a trail of destruction and thousands unaccounted for.

As of Monday, Nepali officials reported 903 confirmed deaths, while over 4,000 individuals remain missing, including 933 workers from hydropower plants. Rescue operations are ongoing as families gather at hospitals and rescue stations, desperate for news of their loved ones. In neighboring China, authorities have confirmed 16 deaths and reported 546 missing, with many of the unaccounted being foreigners.

Surendra Dowluri, a worker who was rescued, described the terrifying moment the flood hit, recalling the chaos at the Upper Trishuli-1 site where he was trapped. “We heard a very loud sound… and saw that the turbine floor was submerged with slush,” he recounted, highlighting the harrowing experiences faced by those caught in the disaster.

Rescue efforts faced additional challenges with ongoing rain and rising waters, complicating the search for trapped individuals. Brigadier General Raja Ram Basnet stated that the army has intensified operations in the affected areas, striving to locate those stranded in remote regions.

Officials have begun burials due to the overwhelming number of deceased, taking DNA samples from the bodies for future identification. Grieving families are visiting identification centers, where they are confronted with the painful task of recognizing loved ones from photographs displayed on LED screens. Shobha Adhikary, who believes she identified her childhood friend among the deceased, expressed her sorrow in the midst of this tragic situation.

Source: www.france24.com