“NO WAY THROUGH”: THOUSANDS FEARED DE-AD AS FLO-ODS TURN NEPAL INTO A DE-ATH TRAP WITH 33 BRITS STILL MISSING
THOUSANDS are feared dead after catastrophic flash floods swept through Nepal – as rescuers battle near impossible conditions to reach survivors.
At least 165 bodies have been recovered with more than 800 people – including 33 British nationals – missing.
Houses lying deluged in sludge after flash floods in Nepal’s Nuwakot districtCredit: AFP
A torrent of floodwater, mud and debris bulldozed through the Tiberan border early on Wednesday washing away villages, roads and critical infrastructure.
Search operations are under way on both sides of the border and the death toll is expected to rise significantly in the coming days.
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Authorities say rescue operations have been stalled by uncertain weather conditions, with churning pools of floodwater blocking the way of emergency vehicles amid relentless rain.
The mudslide that struck Tibet’s Gyirong county is nearly 1.5m deep with the edge stretching 2.5km from the border crossing.
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This “significantly hinders subsequent rescue efforts”, state broadcaster CCTV report authorities saying.
The UN has mobilised supplies and personnel to help the Nepali-led search effort scouring flattened villages along the Bhotekoshi River.
India, which has at least 133 civilians missing, has sent humanitarian aid to Nepal, while the EU, US, UK and Canada “stand ready to assist” rescuers.
More than 800 foreign nationals remain unaccounted for — including 47 Americans – with nearly 1,500 people missing in total, officials said.
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A 13-year-old British girl and her parents are believed to be among a tour party of 17 trekkers crossing the Nepal-China border when the disaster struck.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to do “everything we can” to support Britons caught up in the nightmare.
The US Geological Survey said the crisis was caused by a “glacial collapse” – a 2,000ft mass of ice break away – causing “catastrophic impacts downstream”.
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2 hours ago
Foreign News Reporter
Death toll rises to 177, Nepali police says
At least 177 bodies have been recovered from areas affected by yesterdays catastrophic floods.
Nepal’s police say 33 people are receiving treatment while 3,318 officers have been deployed as part of rescue operations.
31 minutes ago
How a glacier collapse may have caused Nepal-Tibet disaster
Foreign News Reporter
A glacier collapse in Nepal’s mountains near Tibet appears to have triggered the disaster, experts say.
“A large chunk of glacier fell from about 5,200 metres (about 17,000 feet)… into a valley,” said Simon Cox, principal scientist at New Zealand’s GNS Science.
The glacier collapse was large enough to register as a seismic event, initially mistaken for an earthquake.
It “transformed into this raging mass of debris… where it picks up rocks and sediment and trees and anything in the way and fires it on down through the canyon,” he told AFP.
The wall of water first impacted a border post, as documented in terrifying CCTV footage showing mud and debris engulfing the area as people fled before it.
With the affected area largely inaccessible, experts are using satellite imagery to reconstruct the disaster.
38 minutes ago
Isha Foundation loses contact with 77 pilgrims
Foreign News Reporter
A spiritual group said it lost contact with at least 77 pilgrims in Nepal.
The Isha Foundation, founded by Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru, said the group included people from the US, Australia, the UK and several European and Asian countries.
Maa Gambhiri, the foundation’s coordinator, said the group had completed its pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar.
Contact was lost as they were heading back to Kathmandu on Wednesday morning.
Maa said the foundation spoke to group leader Praveen at 09:05 local time but could not get through ten minutes later.
“We couldn’t get through to him or anyone else. It seems the incident occurred within those ten minutes.”
44 minutes ago
Warning over ‘fraudulent’ fundraising schemes
Foreign News Reporter
The Nepali disaster agency has warned people “not to be misled” by disaster fraud schemes following the flash floods.
“At this difficult time, it has come to our attention that some individuals and groups have started collecting financial assistance in the name of helping those affected by the disaster,” it said on social media.
“The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority requests everyone not to collect financial assistance arbitrarily in the name of the flood victims and not to be misled by such efforts.
“We also inform the public not to provide financial assistance to any organisation or individual unless officially called upon by the Government of Nepal.”
55 minutes ago
In Pictures: Injured victims arrive at hospital after rescue
Foreign News Reporter
Credit: REUTERS
Credit: REUTERS
1 hour ago
Hundreds of tourists still out of contact, says Nepal Tourism Board
Foreign News Reporter
The Nepal Tourism Board says 644 tourists are still out of contact following the catastrophic floods in Nepal.
Around 178 Indian tourists remain missing, board spokesperson Sunil Sharma told the BBC.
“We are coordinating with the relevant authorities for their search and rescue,” he said.
1 hour ago
In Pictures: Survivors pulled from devastation
Foreign News Reporter
Credit: REUTERS
Credit: AFP via Getty Images
Credit: Nepalese Army/AFP via Getty Imag
Credit: ESN/@ARMED POLICE FORCE OF NEPAL
1 hour ago
Tour operator confirms nine UK nationals on pilgrimage when disaster struck
Foreign News Reporter
A Nepalese tour operator has confirmed nine UK nationals on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash have been missing since crossing the Nepal-Tibet border.
Four men, aged 14, 50, 50, and 54, and five women, aged 40, 46, 50, 50, and 53, are unaccounted for from the tour, the Trekkers’ Society said.
Roshan Basnet, general manager, said: “When the flood happened, they were still at the Chinese immigration (at) the border.
“After the flood happened, we had no contact with our tour guide.”
