KATHMANDU, Nepal – The Nepalese government has issued a fresh flood alert as the death toll from last week's catastrophic floods has now exceeded 900, with over 4,000 people reported missing. The disaster has left entire villages under water and has prompted international concern, with neighboring China also reporting significant loss of life and property.
The latest warnings came as the Bhotekoshi River experienced a sudden rise in water levels, prompting authorities to send out alerts to residents' phones. Chinese officials have informed their Nepalese counterparts of increased water flow upstream, indicating a potential for further flooding.
The disaster began on Wednesday when a glacial collapse in the Himalayas triggered a massive rockfall, which in turn caused a torrent of water to sweep through the valleys below. The resulting flash floods have destroyed homes, bridges, and infrastructure, leaving thousands of people in dire need of assistance.
Survivors in the flood-affected districts are struggling to come to terms with the scale of the disaster. Govind Shreshta, a resident of a flood-hit village, described the constant alarms and the arduous task of carrying his elderly parents to safety. "Sometimes they say a flood is coming, then we have to run again to higher ground, even at night. There is also rain," he said. "It's really difficult for me."
In the worst-affected region of Dhading, some residents have begun returning to their homes to see what can be salvaged. Sharmila Tamang, a Dhading resident, expressed the hopelessness of the situation: "Everything is finished. Nothing is left. Not even our home."
The destruction has also impacted critical infrastructure, including a power plant that serves over 20,000 people across four districts. Workers at the plant began inspecting the facilities on Sunday to assess the extent of the damage.
The U.S. State Department has reported that there are currently 85 Americans unaccounted for in Nepal, with nine having been safely evacuated. The State Department has activated $3.6 million in emergency humanitarian assistance, including food for up to 10,000 households.
The missing also include hundreds of people from over a dozen countries who were in the region to work, visit the mountains, or make a pilgrimage to a sacred peak. Chinese state media reported on Sunday that 261 foreigners were missing in Tibet, including over a hundred Nepalis and others from around the world.
Nepal's foreign minister has called for a global response to climate change, noting that the country is bearing a disproportionate share of its impact. Scientists who studied satellite images of the glacial collapse said the bedrock underneath a glacier high in the Himalayas had collapsed, taking part of the glacier with it. The rockfall was so extreme that it registered as magnitude 5.2 on the Richter scale.
As the situation continues to evolve, the Nepalese government and international aid organizations are working tirelessly to provide relief to those affected by the disaster. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the potential for further flooding, as the country remains on high alert.
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