More than 5 thousand people have gone missing as a result of floods in Nepal
During the rescue operation, about 13.8 thousand people were rescued. At least 5,285 people still remain on the list of missing persons.
More than 5 thousand people went missing due to floods in Nepal
The Government of Nepal has announced the end of the search and rescue operation launched after a devastating glacier collapse and subsequent flooding that claimed the lives of at least 1,455 people.
Fanindra Paudel, head of Nepal's National Emergency Operation Centre, told the agency that they are transitioning "from the search and rescue phase to the recovery phase."
Nearly 13.8 thousand people were rescued during the operation. At least 5,285 people still remain on the missing list. According to the official, the issue of officially declaring the missing persons dead is already being considered to allow their families or relatives to complete insurance, banking, and other legal formalities.
Dharam Raj Upreti, head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, stated that emergency rescue operations would still be carried out if the need arises.
On August 26, a catastrophic flood occurred in Nepal's border region with Tibet as a result of a partial collapse of a glacier on Mount Langtang Lirung. The resulting mudflows caused destruction in six regions of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. As a result, 12 hydroelectric power plants, roads, bridges, farms, and settlements were destroyed.
On September 24, Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah, in his speech at the UN General Assembly, stated that the country is in dire need of increased international aid to eliminate the consequences of the disaster. According to the government, recovery costs are estimated at $4.78 billion, which is equivalent to nearly 12 percent of the country's GDP. Repairing energy facilities and power grids alone will require $2.58 billion. Nepal does not yet know where to find these funds.