The Crossbill News Desk
The search for survivors continued in Nepal on Friday (August 28) after a devastating flash flood tore through settlements and infrastructure near the Tibet border, leaving more than 469 people dead and 1,468 others missing, according to the latest figures provided by authorities.
The disaster struck after floodwaters surged through the Bhote Koshi River, reportedly from the direction of Tibet, sweeping away villages, bridges and several project sites in the Himalayan region. Videos from the affected areas showed people attempting to flee as the sudden torrent engulfed buildings and carried away infrastructure.
The Nepal Army has deployed 14 helicopters along with disaster response teams to the affected region as rescue and relief operations continue.
The sudden rise in water caused extensive destruction in Timure in Rasuwa district and the nearby Syafrubesi area, according to a statement from the Nepal Army. Personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been deployed across Rasuwa and adjoining areas to intensify search, rescue and relief efforts.
One of the major challenges for rescue teams is the situation at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, where around 100 people were reported trapped inside a tunnel after the project site was inundated.
"Our focus is in search and rescue of people... some people are trapped in the tunnel of Trishuli 3A hydropower project," Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet told AFP.
The Prime Minister's Office said that around 350 people had been rescued from the affected area, while approximately 100 others remained trapped.
The disaster has also triggered a major emergency on the other side of the border in Tibet, where Chinese authorities paused rescue operations on Friday because of the risk of further flooding.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, a lake formed after enormous quantities of debris accumulated in the region had begun overflowing towards the area where rescue teams had been operating. Hundreds of people were reported missing following a deadly mudslide in the border region.
"So all rescue teams have been ordered to stand by in place and wait for further instructions," CCTV said, adding that emergency personnel who had earlier reached the affected area "have been ordered to withdraw one kilometer".
With floodwaters, debris and the continuing risk of fresh disasters complicating operations on both sides of the Nepal-Tibet border, authorities are racing to locate those still missing while attempting to evacuate people trapped in inaccessible areas.
The disaster struck after floodwaters surged through the Bhote Koshi River, reportedly from the direction of Tibet, sweeping away villages, bridges and several project sites in the Himalayan region. Videos from the affected areas showed people attempting to flee as the sudden torrent engulfed buildings and carried away infrastructure.
The Nepal Army has deployed 14 helicopters along with disaster response teams to the affected region as rescue and relief operations continue.
The sudden rise in water caused extensive destruction in Timure in Rasuwa district and the nearby Syafrubesi area, according to a statement from the Nepal Army. Personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been deployed across Rasuwa and adjoining areas to intensify search, rescue and relief efforts.
One of the major challenges for rescue teams is the situation at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, where around 100 people were reported trapped inside a tunnel after the project site was inundated.
"Our focus is in search and rescue of people... some people are trapped in the tunnel of Trishuli 3A hydropower project," Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet told AFP.
The Prime Minister's Office said that around 350 people had been rescued from the affected area, while approximately 100 others remained trapped.
The disaster has also triggered a major emergency on the other side of the border in Tibet, where Chinese authorities paused rescue operations on Friday because of the risk of further flooding.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, a lake formed after enormous quantities of debris accumulated in the region had begun overflowing towards the area where rescue teams had been operating. Hundreds of people were reported missing following a deadly mudslide in the border region.
"So all rescue teams have been ordered to stand by in place and wait for further instructions," CCTV said, adding that emergency personnel who had earlier reached the affected area "have been ordered to withdraw one kilometer".
With floodwaters, debris and the continuing risk of fresh disasters complicating operations on both sides of the Nepal-Tibet border, authorities are racing to locate those still missing while attempting to evacuate people trapped in inaccessible areas.
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