newspop
A Nation Grieves : Over 1,000 Lives Lost, Thousands Still Missing in Nepal Floods
New Delhi : The devastating flash floods across Nepal and parts of China have claimed more than 1,000 lives, with authorities reporting 987 deaths in Nepal and 16 in China. As the disaster continues to unfold, 3,916 people are still missing, including 583 foreign nationals.
Rescue teams have so far evacuated 11,814 people, but operations remain extremely difficult as landslides, damaged roads and collapsed bridges have isolated several affected areas.
The disaster began on August 26 after a massive glacial collapse in the Himalayan region sent huge volumes of rock, ice and meltwater rushing through valleys. The powerful event destroyed homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure. Scientists said the force of the rockfall was strong enough to be recorded as a magnitude 5.2 seismic event.
With water levels continuing to rise, Nepal has issued a fresh flood alert, adding to concerns over further damage. Helicopters and aircraft are being used to reach communities cut off by the destruction.
Among those evacuated were 39 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, who were diverted from flood-affected routes and safely returned to India with help from Chinese, Nepalese and Indian authorities. The Ministry of External Affairs said 158 Indian citizens have been evacuated so far.
Meanwhile, Nepal Police has begun efforts to identify victims, with families being asked to assist through photographs and DNA matching. Several bodies have been temporarily interred to reduce health risks, making forensic identification a crucial part of the ongoing response.
The scale of the disaster continues to pose a massive challenge, with rescue teams racing against time to reach isolated communities and account for thousands still untraceable.
