The unprecedented flood that has hit the border areas of Nepal and Tibet is causing great shock. The massive avalanche and snowfall in the Himalayan mountain ranges caused the flow of the ‘Lhende’, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi, to stop suddenly and then break its embankments. According to initial estimates, officials believe that an earthquake may have caused the collapse of the lower part of the glacier (ice river) and led to such a flood. So far, 175 people have lost their lives and about 1,500 are missing due to this sudden flood. At least 800 of them are foreigners, of whom more than 300 are Indians, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal revealed. Landslides and overflowing rivers near the border port of Gyirong have washed away houses, roads, bridges and hydroelectric projects.
The floods have caused widespread devastation, especially in Nepal’s Rasua, Dhading and Nuwakot districts. Local media have also reported that 558 people are missing in Gyirong County, Tibet, which is under Chinese control. It is a matter of grave concern that a large number of tourists, including pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, have been stranded in the floods. It is believed that 133 of them are Indian nationals and 37 are NRIs. Despite the seriousness of the situation, neither the Nepali Foreign Ministry nor the Indian government has yet to officially confirm the exact number of missing Indians. The army and rescue teams have stepped up search operations. Nepali police have made it clear that the death toll is likely to rise as more bodies are recovered.
India has responded immediately and stood by Nepal in this difficult time. It has sent about 47.5 tonnes of relief material in two tranches of C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force to provide emergency assistance to people from infants to the elderly. Temporary tents, blankets, medical kits, solar lanterns and food parcels have been delivered to Nepal. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is personally monitoring these relief efforts. In addition, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has set up special helpline numbers (+977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500) and is coordinating the relief efforts.
On the other hand, the neighboring state of Bihar has been put on high alert due to the flood water coming from Nepal. Although the water flow at the Valmikinagar barrage has reduced somewhat by Thursday morning, the authorities are closely monitoring the situation. People in Nepal are taking some relief as the Meteorological Department has clarified that there is no new major flood threat at the moment. Rescue teams are working hard on the ground to save victims amid surging rivers and collapsed landslides.