By Dwayne Ferreira.
Nepal Tibet floods leave at least 165 dead and nearly 1,500 missing as Sri Lanka offers rescue support and issues a safety alert.
COLOMBO/KATHMANDU — Sri Lanka has offered assistance to Nepal for rescue and debris-clearance operations as authorities race to find survivors following catastrophic flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border that have killed more than 160 people and left nearly 1,500 missing.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Sri Lanka stood ready to support Nepal as the scale of destruction across the Himalayan border region continued to emerge on Thursday.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life following the devastating floods in Nepal,” the President said, adding that Sri Lanka was prepared to assist with rescue and clearance operations.
Dissanayake drew a parallel with Sri Lanka’s own recent experience of natural disaster, saying the country was still recovering from a deadly cyclone 10 months ago and therefore shared the grief of the Nepalese people. He extended Sri Lanka’s condolences to Nepal’s President, Prime Minister and people.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had earlier expressed Sri Lanka’s solidarity with Nepal, saying his thoughts were with the families and communities affected by the disaster.
Herath also commended Nepalese authorities and emergency personnel engaged in rescue and relief operations across Rasuwa District and other affected areas.
Nearly 1,500 Reported Missing
The disaster struck the mountainous region linking Nepal with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region after a massive collapse of ice and rock sent a destructive surge of water, mud and debris through river valleys and settlements.
Reuters reported on Thursday that nearly 1,500 people were missing across Nepal and Tibet, while the confirmed death toll had risen to at least 165. More than 800 foreigners from over two dozen countries were reportedly among those unaccounted for.
Nepalese authorities earlier confirmed that more than 150 bodies had been recovered, while hundreds of tourists, pilgrims, security personnel and residents remained missing.
Entire settlements, roads and bridges have been swept away, severely restricting access to affected areas and complicating rescue operations. Officials have also warned that debris blocking waterways upstream could trigger further flash flooding.
Thousands of rescue personnel have been mobilised across Nepal and Tibet as helicopters deliver food, emergency shelter and other supplies to communities cut off by damaged roads.
Sri Lankans in Nepal Told to Remain Vigilant
Sri Lanka’s Embassy in Kathmandu has meanwhile issued a safety advisory urging Sri Lankan nationals in Nepal to remain vigilant, particularly those living or travelling in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan districts.
Sri Lankans requiring emergency assistance have been asked to contact the Embassy’s 24-hour emergency hotline on +977 9851048653.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it had received no reports of Sri Lankan nationals being killed or injured in the disaster.
An estimated 85 to 100 Sri Lankans are currently in Nepal, including approximately 20 students and several people employed by international organisations, according to Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Kathmandu.
Fears of Further Flooding
Initial assessments indicate that the catastrophe may have been triggered when a large section of a Himalayan glacier collapsed, sending huge quantities of ice, rock and debris into a river system below.
The event initially produced seismic signals that raised speculation about an earthquake, but subsequent assessments pointed instead towards a major glacial collapse and debris flow.
Emergency teams are continuing searches through devastated valleys while authorities monitor unstable river blockages that could produce secondary flooding.
With communications disrupted and several remote settlements still difficult to reach, officials have warned that casualty figures could continue to rise as rescue teams penetrate deeper into the disaster zone.
