Nepal flash floods: 675 dead, 2,498 missing, says disaster authority

Kathmandu, Aug 30 (IANS) Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said that 675 bodies had been recovered from mudslide-hit areas, with 2,498 people still missing.

According to Nepal’s Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, a total of 753 tourists had lost contact as of 17:30 local time on Saturday, including 589 foreign nationals.

Kathmandu District Administrative Office issued an urgent notice on Saturday, calling on various associations, institutions, enterprises and individuals in Kathmandu to donate relief supplies to assist the victims in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts, Xinhua news agency reported.

The floods, triggered by a sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River, caused widespread loss of life and extensive damage to hydropower projects, roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the affected areas.

Meanhwile, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday said that a 4th flight from India with an additional 11 tonnes of assistance has been dispatched to Nepal in a C-130 aircraft, as the Himalayan Nation was hit with devastating floods.

“The 4th flight from India with 11 tonnes of assistance is now airborne. The C-130 aircraft is carrying: A Tunnel technical contingent along with equipment for search & rescue operations. A team of forensic experts for DNA analysis along with Forensic equipment. Relief supplies, including blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulin, plastic sheets and hygiene kits,” EAM Jaishankar stated on X.

He noted that 16 trucks carrying equipment for a 230-foot Single Lane Modular Steel Bridge have reached Nepal, and Equipment for installation of seven more Bailey bridges will be supplied soon.

According to him, technical teams for their installation are expected to reach shortly. So far, a total of 68.5 tonnes of relief material comprising essential medicines, portable generator sets, food packets, water purification tablets and technical equipment have been airlifted to Kathmandu.

“Our support to the relief and rescue efforts of Nepal continues,” he added.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Wednesday, an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J Hercules airlifted 10 tonnes of emergency relief material such as temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, and medicines.

–IANS

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