Nepal Police have now confirmed the number of dead from the flash flood disaster in the country currently stands at 359 people with more than 1,300 are missing, including scores of foreigners and pilgrims.
According to AP quoting Police sources, hundreds others have also been displaced across the Himalayan region.
In an online statement, the Police said: “Of these, 359 bodies have been found, including 17 in Rasuwa, 28 in Nuwakot, 33 in Dhading, 132 in Chitwan, 30 in Gorkha, 22 in Tanahun, 82 in Nawalparasi East, and 15 in Nawalparasi West.
“The police are also working to keep various households in various districts at risk of flooding in safe places, carry out necessary rescue and search operations in coordination and cooperation with various agencies and locals, and remove roadblocks at various locations.”
Reports from the country’s disaster authority further indicated that a lake formed at the site where the flood in Nepal occurred is rising and is at risk of bursting, even as it appealed to residents and rescuers to stay away from the riverbanks.
Also, Reuters quoted the Aauthority as reporting that the blockage of a river on Wednesday led to the lake’s formation.
Reacting to the emergency situation, UNICEF, originally the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, said at least 17,000 children have been affected by the devastating flash floods that tore through Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts.
It further said among the confirmed dead are at least 14 children, with hundreds more still missing. The numbers are expected to rise as search operations continue.
“Children across Rasuwa and Dhading saw their lives being literally washed away in front of their eyes in a very short span of time, with homes, classrooms, and medical facilities damaged. Too many lost their lives and loved ones,” said Alice Akunga, Unicef representative to Nepal.
“With the death toll still rising, we know this tragedy is far from over. Children who have survived the floods now face heightened risks of disease, malnutrition, violence and exploitation. Unicef is on the ground and scaling up support, but we urgently need more resources to reach every child in need.”
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) has offered £5 million to help the Nepalese government amid a “very distressing and devastating situation” following the country’s flash floods, the British prime minister has said.
More than 30 British nationals are among hundreds of people missing and feared dead as rescue efforts continued on Thursday.
The British Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, Andy Burnham told reporters an offer had also been made for emergency responders to head to the affected areas
On his part, King Charles III has also responded to the disaster in Nepal and Tibet in a written message commenting on the unfortunate disaster.
He said: “My wife and I are heartbroken to hear of the devastating flooding that has struck the Nepal-China border. Many in the United Kingdom have strong, deep and personal ties to this part of the world.
“We send our most profound sympathy to all those who have so tragically lost their loved ones and we feel deeply for the many families awaiting anxiously the news of friends and relations.
“Our hearts go out also to the families of all the police and Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives while carrying out their courageous duty in the service of others and we give our deepest thanks to those who have responded so selflessly in undertaking rescue efforts.
“Our special thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected and, as always, the United Kingdom stands ready to help support those in need.”
Charles R.
