Bhotekoshi-Trishuli Flood: National Mourning Across Nepal on the 13th Day of Disaster, President Addresses the Nation
Photo source, RSS
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Monday marks a national day of mourning across Nepal in remembrance of the lives lost due to the sudden devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers.
Last week, the Cabinet decided to observe national mourning on the 13th day after the floods hit. During this time, government offices across the country and Nepali diplomatic missions abroad are flying the national flag at half-mast.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, as of Monday, at least 1,355 deaths have been confirmed from the flood that struck on Bhadra 10, while thousands remain missing and unaccounted for.
President Ram Chandra Paudel visited flood-affected areas in Nuwakot on Monday morning to conduct a field assessment. He gathered information on search and rescue efforts, relief distribution, and the management of holding centers.
Police report that nearly 3,200 people have taken shelter across various holding centers in different districts while search operations for the missing are ongoing.
President Addresses the Nation
Photo source, RSS
After visiting the affected areas, President Paudel addressed the nation to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the floods that hit the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers on Bhadra 10.
In his speech, he expressed wishes for the recovery of the injured and expressed confidence that the government will proceed sensitively and carefully with the identification process of the deceased.
President Paudel also extended condolences to the nations of foreign citizens who have either died or gone missing in the disaster and expressed gratitude towards countries providing assistance.
He praised the security personnel involved in the search and rescue operations of the missing individuals and stressed that nothing should hinder these crucial efforts.
Earlier on Monday, President Paudel visited a temporary shelter in Battar, Nuwakot, to meet with displaced persons.
Locations of Ongoing Search Operations
Photo source, AFP via Getty Images
Security agencies confirm that search efforts continue in various flood-affected areas.
According to the Nepal Army, construction of the ‘Belly Bridge’ at the Tadi River in Devi Ghat, Nuwakot is in progress as the floods swept away dozens of bridges and roads.
Rescue teams focus on searching underground tunnels of hydropower projects after finding two people alive on Saturday and one on Sunday, as well as one survivor among rubble in Beterawati washed away by floods.
The Nepal Army leads efforts to search and rescue people trapped inside tunnels, with assistance from foreign experts in some areas.
According to Armed Police Force spokesperson Netrabahadur Karki, search operations extend from Timure in Rasuwa to the Narayani River near the Nepal-India border in west Nawalparasi district.
Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet said search continues in tunnels and underground powerhouses across various hydropower projects under the army’s leadership.
Photo source, Nepal Army
On Sunday, the Nepal Army reported reaching the powerhouse and control point of the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project during search efforts.
According to the latest update on Sunday night, continuous search is underway at the powerhouse and tunnel of Trishuli 3A with necessary equipment, and the path at Trishuli 3B Audit 2 tunnel is being cleared to allow excavators access.
At Chilime Hydro, a joint team including foreign experts continues search operations after removing debris.
At the Upper Trishuli 1 project site, a team including foreign experts has conducted further tunnel searches utilizing thermal cameras.
What is the death toll?
Photo source, EPA/Shutterstock
As of 11 a.m. Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority confirmed recovery of 1,355 bodies or body parts.
Police report nearly 4,000 people are still missing while the Authority estimates the figure around 5,000.
According to the Authority, bodies recovered include 169 from Rasuwa, 197 from Nuwakot, 70 from Dhading, 363 from Chitwan, 75 from Gorkha, 38 from Tanahun, 222 from East Nawalparasi, and 221 from West Nawalparasi.
Bodies carried by the Narayani River to India have been brought back to West Nawalparasi, where authorities maintain the records.
Police affirm that DNA samples and all necessary procedures have been completed for identifying 1,044 bodies which have been buried.
DNA samples have been collected from 1,181 relatives of deceased and 1,238 relatives of missing persons to aid in identification through DNA profiling, according to the police.
How Many Have Been Rescued?
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reports that 13,396 people have been rescued from the flood-affected districts.
According to the Nepal Army, approximately 4,000 people were rescued by helicopter by Sunday evening.
The Authority states that by Monday morning, the Nepal Army had conducted 1,159 helicopter sorties.
The Authority’s data indicates around 6,672 people were injured in the floods, with 323 admitted for treatment and 228 already discharged.
More than 21,400 security personnel from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Army remain mobilized in post-disaster search, rescue, and relief operations according to the Authority’s disclosure.
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