Number of flood victims in Nepal and Tibet approaches 500, rescuers expect a new strike of the elements
A significant portion of those missing are tourists.
Photo: Safal Prakash Shrestha/Anadolu via Getty Images
469 people have become victims of the catastrophic flood, Nepal police reported on Friday morning, almost two days after a mudslide hit the border with Tibet. More than 800 people are still missing, writes the BBC.
In Tibet, according to Chinese media, at least three people died, and more than 550 people have not been in contact since the flood. A significant portion of the missing are tourists. The threat of new flooding is hindering rescue operations.
Nepalese Prime Minister Balen Shah, who is visiting the affected areas, stated that more than 13,000 security personnel — soldiers of the Nepalese army, armed police officers, and national police officers — have been involved in search and rescue operations.
According to him, 69 flights were made to the disaster zone throughout Thursday, as a result of which 573 people were rescued.
Shah added that temporary shelters have been organized for those affected, and injured citizens are receiving free medical assistance.
According to the Prime Minister, the government is currently focused on rescuing people, searching for the missing, and providing assistance to those affected.
Warnings of possible new natural disasters also appeared on Thursday.
Nepal's Emergency Services warned that the risk of new flooding is increasing: the water level in the lake formed by debris blocking the Bhote Koshi River at the site of the first flood is rising, and it could overflow its banks. This could happen around September 1, Chinese state media reported, citing the Ministry of Water Resources.
David Fisher, head of the Red Cross delegation in Nepal, told BBC News that this keeps people "under extreme tension." According to him, the incoming information influences the planning of humanitarian aid delivery: Red Cross teams are operating gradually, "truck by truck," and have not yet begun to move the main part of their supplies from their warehouse in Kathmandu.
"What worries us most is the threat to the lives of people who are still in the path of a potential new flood," he said.