The death toll from Nepal’s catastrophic Himalayan floods has crossed 1,000 on Tuesday, September 1, as specialised rescue teams continue efforts to reach hundreds of people trapped at damaged hydropower projects.
According to the latest official figures, 1,003 people have been confirmed dead, while around 4,000 remain missing, including approximately 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries.
The disaster began on August 26 after a glacier collapse sent a massive surge of ice, rocks, mud and water through Nepal’s northern border region with China, devastating settlements, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
Hydropower Sites Become Rescue Focus
Rescue operations are now heavily concentrated on damaged hydropower stations, where authorities say at least 639 people remain stranded.
Teams have been draining water from tunnel entrances and using excavators and rock-breaking machinery to create access routes into areas blocked by debris.
Around 279 workers have already been rescued from hydropower projects, with specialist teams from Nepal, India and China participating in the operations.
More Than 11,000 Rescued
Authorities said more than 11,000 people have been rescued across flood-affected regions so far.
More than 9,200 personnel have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations, emergency treatment, clearing blocked roads and managing recovered bodies.
Temporary bridges have also been constructed to reconnect remote communities and allow rescue teams and relief supplies to reach isolated areas.
Foreign Specialists Join Operations
Nepal has sought advanced international assistance for technically difficult rescue missions, including life-detection equipment, prefabricated bridges and specialised tunnel-rescue expertise.
China is sending DNA-testing experts and additional relief supplies, while South Korea has announced a 44-member emergency team for the badly affected Rasuwa region.
India has also deployed specialist rescue personnel and humanitarian assistance to support Nepal’s response.
Infrastructure Slowly Being Restored
Road access has been restored to parts of Nuwakot, one of the worst-affected districts, while electricity and communication services have returned in some areas.
However, extensive destruction and unstable mountain terrain continue to make rescue operations extremely difficult.
Nepal Receives Over $42 Million in Aid
Prime Minister Balendra Shah said Nepal has received more than $42 million in international assistance since the disaster and expects further support as recovery operations continue.
He also linked the catastrophe to growing climate risks across the Himalayan region and called for greater international attention to disasters associated with climate change.
With thousands still missing and hundreds believed to be trapped around hydropower installations, authorities say search-and-rescue operations remain in a critical phase.
source – Reuters
Supreme News Network
