Authorities in Nepal have issued warnings of potential new flooding and advised residents in flood-affected regions to stay vigilant following a rise in water levels in the Bhotekoshi River. Flood alerts were sent to people’s mobile phones early Sunday while rescue teams worked to clear a key highway linking Kathmandu to an area severely impacted by the devastating floods last Wednesday. The recent alerts came after Chinese authorities notified Nepalese officials of increased water flow upstream.
According to Dharam Raj Uprety, the head of Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that a new lake formed after the floods had mostly drained. However, the ministry warned of a crater located 5.6 kilometers upstream, holding an estimated 1.4 million cubic meters of water, posing a potential risk that requires close monitoring.
As of Sunday, Nepal’s disaster agency confirmed a death toll of 788 with 2,502 individuals missing, while Chinese authorities reported 16 casualties and 546 missing on their side of the border. Among the missing are numerous individuals from various countries in the region for work, tourism, or pilgrimage. In Tibet, Chinese state media noted 261 foreigners missing, including over 100 Nepalis and others from different nations.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Anita Anand, announced on social media that a previously missing Canadian had been found safe. However, 31 Canadians remain unaccounted for, with the number subject to change as new information surfaces. Families of missing Canadians, like Seema Rawla, are urging the Canadian government to increase support and resources for those affected by the disaster.
Rescue operations are ongoing at multiple hydroelectric projects, with a significant effort at the Upper Trishuli complex where around 350 individuals are believed to be trapped in a tunnel. Nepali troops, along with specialists from China and India, have been mobilized for the rescue operations.
In the aftermath of the floods, some residents in severely affected regions like Dhading are returning to assess the damage to their homes. Essential infrastructure like bridges and power facilities have suffered extensive damage, affecting the daily lives of local communities. The Prithivi Highway, a critical supply route, is facing repair challenges despite partial operational status.
The flash floods, triggered by a glacial collapse in the Himalayan region, have highlighted the vulnerability of regions to climate change impacts. Nepal’s Foreign Affairs Minister emphasized the urgent need for global action on climate change, stressing the disproportionate impact faced by countries like Nepal with minimal contributions to global emissions.
While scientists have not directly linked the recent catastrophe to global warming, they underscore the heightened risks of such disasters in warming regions like the Himalayas due to human-induced climate change. The urgent call for climate action resonates as communities in Nepal and Tibet continue to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating floods.