Rizky Amelia
In the aftermath of a devastating flood, Nepal is facing one of its most challenging rescue operations in history. More than 900 workers are believed to be trapped underground in hydropower project tunnels, with the flood death toll now surpassing 900. The unprecedented deluge, triggered by a glacier collapse, has left a trail of destruction across the nation and neighboring regions.
Rescue teams, bolstered by experts from China and India, are working tirelessly to reach the trapped workers. The focus is on around a dozen hydropower project tunnels that have been blocked by mud and rock debris. Soldiers and rescuers have been seen using torchlights in a desperate bid to find ways into the tunnels. "A large amount of debris has been deposited and that is posing us a big challenge to open the tunnels," said Nepal army spokesperson, Raja Ram Basnet.
The flood, which struck on the Nepal-Tibet border, has caused widespread destruction, with hundreds of bodies, many of them unidentified, being buried in shallow graves. The humid weather has exacerbated the situation, with decomposing bodies adding to the urgency of the rescue efforts. In Kathmandu, the capital, morgues have reached capacity, prompting families to search for their loved ones in other hospitals.
The disaster has also taken a heavy toll on the economy. The Red Cross estimates that over 90,000 people have been affected, with Prime Minister Balendra Shah describing the flood as an "unprecedented and devastating natural disaster." Despite the adverse weather, difficult terrain, and ongoing risks, the government is determined to save lives. "We are moving forward with determination to save the lives of our citizens," said Shah.
The international community has responded to the crisis, with China sending over 2,100 rescue workers and allocating millions of yuan to support relief efforts. Chinese soldiers have used life-detection equipment to look for the missing, and tunnel rescue experts have been deployed to Nepal. Beijing has also shared satellite information with the Nepalese authorities.
Nepal, which has traditionally shunned foreign help in search and rescue operations, has accepted assistance from India and China, recognizing the expertise they bring in tunnel rescue. The government's acceptance of foreign help underscores the scale of the disaster and the urgency of the rescue efforts.
Despite the ongoing rescue operations, the situation remains precarious. Rescue efforts have been suspended several times due to bad weather and concerns about a lake formed by the disaster overflowing into Nepal's rivers, potentially triggering new flooding. However, with the weather improving on Monday, rescue work continued to pick up pace.
The flood's impact is not confined to Nepal. Across the border in China's Tibet region, at least 16 people have died and 546 are missing. China has linked the disaster to the effects of climate change, a concern that is likely to grow as the world grapples with the consequences of rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
As the floodwaters recede, the true extent of the damage is yet to be fully assessed. The government is working to compile a complete assessment of the damage, but it is clear that the disaster has left a lasting scar on the nation. The focus now is on providing relief to those affected and ensuring that such a tragedy does not occur again.
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