‘Everything got swept away at once’: Uncertainty prevails amid rescue, relief efforts in flood-hit Nepal
Nuwakot (Nepal), Aug 28 (IANS) In the aftermath of the devastating flash floods in Nepal, which have so far claimed 469 lives, with 977 people still out of contact, citizens of the Himalayan nation on Friday described how “everything got swept away at once”, while expressing uncertainty about the identification of those who died in the tragedy.
Speaking to IANS, a volunteer involved in rescue operations in Nuwakot said: “We just arrived here from Kathmandu about two hours ago to assess immediate relief needs, such as food, drinking water and overnight shelter arrangements for the affected people…I don’t know how this disaster happened; everything got swept away at once.”
He said that the citizens didn’t receive any alert regarding the flash floods, while adding: “People never expected such huge (waves)…the main road at this place and 30-35 kilometres of area from here, everything got washed away.”
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Dhanendra Karki said: “Around 50 to 60 people from (his constituency) Sindhuli alone are missing so far. We haven’t been able to trace them yet…Now again we have been told that the dam has breached…Still, I would go a little ahead and see if I can identify anyone from my area. I have come here to search for them.”
He said 20-22 helicopters are currently being used by the Nepal government in the rescue operations.
“The deceased could not be identified yet…in fact, nothing could be gauged so far about how many pilgrims were on their way to the Kailash Mansarovar and how many of them have lost their lives,” he told IANS.
The Nepal MP expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending timely aid to the flood-ravaged nation.
“Prime Minister Modi has extended immense help. I express my deepest gratitude to the Indian government for standing by Nepal in this time of crisis,” he said.
Former Nepal Finance Minister Barshaman Pun echoed it, saying: “Yes, acting as a true neighbour, the prompt message of support from Prime Minister Modi and the relief assistance from the Government of India are deeply appreciated. On behalf of the people of Nepal and our political parties, I express our sincere gratitude and thanks.”
Tamara Demuria, Chief Humanitarian Officer at Corus International, which is also providing aid to the flood-affected people, said: “We’re very concerned because of the extreme devastation. I went all the way to the north, following the riverbed, to check what the damage is. The footage that I was able to take myself is very concerning because you see washed-out houses, solar panels that have been completely taken by the water, and a lot of livelihoods lost. And there’s absolutely no sign of this calming down or coming back to normal anytime soon.”
Meanwhile, Nepal said that a barrier lake upstream of the Gyirong border port on the Tibet side of the border has broken its banks, with security forces warning rescuers to head towards safety amid a renewed risk of more flooding, NDTV reported.
Talking to IANS, Nepal Police officer P. Chaudhary said: “We received alerts indicating that water levels originating from the China border upstream are rising rapidly. Therefore, a general alert has been sounded for everyone to move to safer locations and protect their lives…so, rescue operations are temporarily halted.”
–IANS
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