Nepal Floods: 33 Britons Missing Amid International Rescue Efforts
Rising Bhotekoshi River levels threaten further devastation as 350 remain trapped in hydropower tunnel and 11 power stations cease operation.
Carla Rooney
Flash floods in Nepal have left 33 British citizens missing.
Chinese authorities confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing from Chinese project sites as of Sunday. Rescued individuals include 180 Indian citizens, 89 Chinese nationals, individuals from Europe, and two Americans.
Approximately 10,000 Nepali troops, alongside specialist teams from China and India, have deployed. The Red Cross estimates over 90,000 people have been impacted by the floods.
Bridges have been destroyed, and nearly 25 miles of roads in Nepal sustained damage. Chinese authorities also reported 15 Britons missing in Tibet; it remains unclear if these individuals are included in Nepal’s figures.
Beijing stated that missing foreign nationals represented 23 nationalities. Nepal previously listed people from 33 countries among more than 500 foreign nationals unaccounted for. The Red Cross claims China has linked the disaster to the effects of climate change.
A meeting between Nepali and Chinese officials to discuss glacier risks and disaster preparedness took place in Kathmandu three months prior to the flood. Two Nepali officials claim China had not shared much information on glacier risks and water levels following a meeting to strengthen co-operation earlier this year.
These officials further claim that a lack of data sharing could hamper future disaster preparedness. Rescue operations have been suspended multiple times due to adverse weather and concerns about a potential new flood from an overflowed lake.
A large amount of debris has been deposited and that is posing us a big challenge to open the tunnels.
Nepal has begun mass burials of unidentified flood victims. Homes, vehicles, and tractors were damaged or destroyed by the floods and landslides. Raja Ram Basnet stated, "A large amount of debris has been deposited and that is posing us a big challenge to open the tunnels."
Balendra Shah affirmed the ongoing commitment, stating, "Despite the adverse weather, difficult terrain and continuing risks, we are moving forward with determination to save the lives of our citizens." The Prithivi highway, a crucial supply route, remained mostly operational, though some sections required repair.
Many survivors in displacement camps reportedly face shortages of medicines and water.