Kathmandu: Nepal held a national day of mourning on Monday for the victims of devastating glacial floods that have claimed at least 1,398 lives, with over 5,500 individuals still unaccounted for, including approximately 800 foreigners. The tragedy, which unfolded on August 26 following a glacial and mountain collapse at the China-Nepal border, has left the nation grappling with immense loss and uncertainty.
According to TRTworld.com, flags across the country flew at half-mast as traditional Hindu mourning rituals were observed on the 13th day following the disaster. Candlelight vigils were planned to honor the deceased, while hope persisted for the hundreds of hydropower workers feared trapped in tunnels. The recent rescue of three workers from deep within these tunnels has provided a glimmer of hope that more lives could still be saved.
Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet emphasized the ongoing commitment to rescue efforts. “Our focus is on search and rescue at three levels, on ground, by air, and in the
tunnels,” Basnet stated, assuring that no effort would be spared to ensure no one remains stranded. The disaster has ravaged entire communities, destroying roads and homes, leaving families desperate for news of their missing loved ones.
Families gathered in Kathmandu voiced their frustration at the pace of rescue operations. Reena Amatya Shrestha, whose brother is missing, expressed the collective sentiment, “If the rescue is there, where’s the result? We need the result.” Meanwhile, Australian tunnel rescue expert Arnold Dix, advising Nepali teams, described the situation as an unprecedented challenge, with multiple potential rescues unfolding simultaneously across different locations.
Foreign experts from China, India, and South Korea are collaborating with Nepali teams to bolster rescue efforts. Dix highlighted the importance of perseverance, referencing his experience in the 2023 Silkyara tunnel rescue in India, “Silkyara taught me never to confuse unlikely with impossible.”
With mortuaries overwhelme
d, Nepal has resorted to burying hundreds of bodies in mass graves after collecting DNA samples for future identification. Only around 100 bodies have been identified and returned to their families so far. The precise cause of the glacial collapse remains unclear, though the accelerating climate crisis is believed to be a contributing factor.
The disaster presents a formidable challenge for Nepal, a largely rural nation with limited resources. Reconstruction costs are estimated to run into billions of dollars, exacerbating the economic strain already felt by the country. The disaster coincides with the upcoming anniversary of last year’s mass anti-corruption protests that led to a government change, placing additional pressure on the current administration to rebuild communities and infrastructure swiftly.
A UN preliminary assessment has estimated building damage from the floods at $158 million, with total losses expected to be significantly higher. The United Nations has appealed for $50 million to assist
over 84,000 affected individuals. UN country chief Lila Pieters Yahia urged the international community to extend support, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
In rescue operations, 1,355 bodies have been recovered in Nepal, with approximately 4,996 individuals still missing, according to the disaster agency. In China, the toll stands at 43 dead and 519 missing, as reported by state media.