Nepalese community sends hope to flood-hit families
Over 170 people have died and hundreds are missing after flash flooding near the Nepal-Tibet border.
The Nepalese community in Kent has extended messages of solace and encouragement to those affected by the severe flash flooding near the Nepal-Tibet border, which has obliterated entire villages.
Nepalese officials have confirmed 177 fatalities and over 800 individuals missing, a figure that includes 33 British tourists. Dr. Bishal Nath Upreti, president of the Nepal Centre for Disaster Management, described the catastrophe as so extreme that "whole villages had been wiped out," likening the deluge to a "tsunami from the sky."
Nina Gurung, a representative of the Gurkha-Nepalese community in Kent and a member of Medway Council, conveyed to BBC Radio Kent that the situation was "absolutely shocking and devastating." She stated, "We are trying to get further updates from families and friends back home to support each other and see what we can do here in the UK."
Gurung emphasized that despite the dire circumstances, community members are making every effort to demonstrate solidarity and convey a message of resilience to those impacted: "stay strong."
With nearly 180 confirmed deaths and over 800 people unaccounted for, according to Nepalese authorities, Gurung added, "We heard reports entire villages have been wiped out, impacting infrastructure including communications." She believes that the disruption to communications has "hampered rescue efforts."
However, Gurung noted a ray of hope, as survivors are "being pulled out waist-deep from mud." She offered, "We pray for all those who lost their lives and we offer our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of those who died." She also expressed prayers "for those who are still missing to be found safe, including those who are from the UK."
The flash floods caused rivers to overflow, spreading thick mud across inhabited areas, submerging homes, and creating challenging conditions for rescue teams. Social media videos depicted floodwaters surging through valleys, accompanied by screams of terror, and bridges being swept away. Other footage showed individuals frantically scrambling uphill to escape the rising waters.
Among the 33 missing UK nationals are two teenagers, aged 13 and 14. Nepalese authorities attribute the flash flood to a glacier collapse.