Nepal floods grim reminder that we need to be very careful with ecology of Himalayas: Cong MP

Chandigarh, Aug 29 (IANS) Describing the Nepal flash floods as “heartbreaking”, Congress MP Manish Tewari on Saturday said that the tragedy is a reminder that humans need to be very careful with the ecology of the Himalayas.

According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), a total of 626 bodies recovered from the floods had been collected as of Saturday at 10 a.m.

Speaking to IANS, Tewari said, “The tragedy in Nepal is really heartbreaking. The Himalayas are young fold mountains and, therefore, are very vulnerable and susceptible to any kind of climate change or infrastructure-building activity. The enormous tragedy in Nepal is once again a grim reminder that we need to be very careful with regard to the ecology of these young fold mountains.”

“We need to be very cognisant of the entire spectacle of climate change because what unfortunately has unfolded in Tibet and Nepal is an example that warnings regarding global warming, if they are ignored, can have very devastating consequences,” he added.

The massive flash flood that struck Nepal on Wednesday originated in the Tibetan region of China. It swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River, leaving a trail of destruction in the country.

The bodies are being recovered from riverbanks in several downstream districts along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading. Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahun, Nawalparasi (East) and Nawalparasi (West).

The officials said that the death toll is expected to rise as the search and rescue operations continue.

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are underway across the affected districts of the Himalayan nation. Officials said that the police are coordinating with residents and other agencies to locate missing people and assist those stranded by the floods.

Rescued people are being taken from high-risk areas to safer locations. Additionally, the search and rescue officials are working to clear roads blocked by flood debris and landslides to reopen access and facilitate relief operations.

–IANS

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