Kathmandu: One week after flash floods devastated the Himalayan region, the death toll has tragically risen to over 1,000, with 4,400 individuals still reported missing, as Nepal intensifies its efforts to locate potential survivors.
According to Thai News Agency, rescue teams are working tirelessly to save approximately 900 people trapped in several heavily damaged hydropower stations, yet the chances of finding survivors are diminishing. The Nepalese government has successfully rescued 279 workers from various hydropower projects, utilizing heavy machinery to excavate and clear debris under the cover of darkness.
In addition to these efforts, the Nepalese government has evacuated over 11,000 people from the disaster zone and managed to restore power and communication systems in certain areas. A significant challenge remains in handling and identifying the deceased. Police have requested DNA samples from the public and relatives of missing tourists to assist in this complex process, specifically asking for fresh blood samples and two photographs to be submitted to the police hospital laboratory. The missing persons list includes 592 foreigners, primarily tourists engaged in mountaineering and Hindu pilgrims.
Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who assumed office just six months ago, announced on social media that aid amounting to over $42 million had been received. He assured that the government is committed to supporting those affected by the disaster in returning to normalcy. Additionally, he emphasized that this catastrophe serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced in the Himalayas and stressed the importance of deriving lessons to combat global climate change.