Kathmandu, Aug 27: At least 157 people have died and more than 400 remain missing or out of contact, including around 133 Indians, after massive flash floods swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district bordering China’s Tibet region, officials said.
The flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River caused widespread destruction, damaging 19 motorable bridges and around 40 km of roads, while several security personnel, government officials and employees of hydropower projects were also reported missing.
Officials cautioned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue operations and assess the full extent of the devastation.
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed grief over the disaster and said the government had mobilised all available resources for rescue and relief operations.
“The entire nation has been left shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of life and damage to property,” Shah said, describing the disaster as “sudden and massive”.
“With a heavy heart,” the prime minister said he was closely monitoring the situation and assured that rescue operations would continue through the night.
Meanwhile, India has sent the first tranche of relief materials to Nepal to support the rescue and relief efforts following the devastating floods.
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has also issued emergency helpline numbers for Indians affected by the disaster — +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500.
“For assistance and information related to Indian nationals who have been affected by the flash floods in Nepal today, the following emergency numbers may be contacted,” the embassy said.
Indian diplomatic missions and state governments have stepped up efforts to trace and assist nationals who may have been stranded or gone out of contact.
District administrations in Parbhani, Latur, Hingoli, Jalna and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra have opened channels for relatives seeking information about tourists stranded or missing in Nepal.
The Sikkim government has also established helplines for families whose relatives may have been affected by the floods in Nepal.
“People in Sikkim who have family members or relatives currently in Nepal and affected by the floods are requested to contact the helpline,” the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority said.
Rajasthan has issued helpline numbers, including 1070 and 112, for families seeking information about residents travelling in Nepal.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing has meanwhile provided contact points for Indian nationals stranded near affected border areas in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
Kerala has opened a helpdesk through Norka-Roots to assist Malayalis affected by the floods. Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said the state was closely monitoring the situation amid reports that more than 100 Indians were missing.
State governments and Indian diplomatic missions are coordinating information-sharing, rescue assistance and support for Indians and their families as rescue teams continue efforts in the flood-hit areas.
