Nepal's search and rescue operations have entered their 12th day, with hopes for further miracles sustained after a 64-year-old woman was found alive in a mud-buried home. The disaster, triggered by a glacier collapse on the Nepal-Tibet border nearly two weeks ago, has resulted in at least 1,300 confirmed deaths and an estimated 5,000 people still missing.
Hundreds of individuals remain trapped inside blocked hydropower project tunnels in the aftermath of the catastrophic deluge. Rescuers on Saturday found two more people alive, adding to two individuals saved the previous day in what are being described as remarkable survival stories. A Chinese national was among those pulled alive from the Trishuli hydropower project tunnels, bringing the total rescued from that site to three.
Nepal's army reported that a joint team of Nepalese military personnel and South Korean disaster experts rescued the man from a 225-meter tunnel and that he is undergoing medical evaluation. The government had initially believed that over 100 workers might be alive within the hydropower tunnels.
Despite significant geographical challenges, adverse weather, and communication disruptions, search and rescue operations are continuing, according to Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha. He noted that rescue workers are facing numerous obstacles.
The wall of ice, rock, and debris swept through mountain districts on August 26, devastating roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. In the flood-hit town of Nuwakot, rescuers located 64-year-old Nepali woman Chandrika Shrestha inside her mud-engulfed house. Police officer Mahendra Darnal described hearing her call for help from a confined space within the debris of her four-story home.
Ms. Shrestha was among hundreds missing in Betrawati, one of the areas most severely impacted by the floods, where markets and multi-story residential buildings were buried under debris. Her rescue has been hailed by Prime Minister Balendra Shah as a source of hope for the entire nation.
Other instances of resilience have emerged, including that of Rajendra Dawadi, a school principal who initiated an evacuation order as the torrent approached, saving hundreds of students.
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal characterized the event as a "Himalayan tsunami" and warned that reconstruction costs could amount to billions of dollars. The United Nations has launched a $50 million appeal to assist over 84,000 affected individuals, noting the immense challenge of delivering aid due to the scale of destruction.
Mortuaries have been overwhelmed, leading to the use of mass graves for unidentified bodies, with DNA samples collected for future identification. To date, approximately 100 bodies have been identified and returned to families.
Nepal is scheduled to observe a national day of mourning on Monday, marking the 13th day since the disaster, in accordance with traditional Hindu mourning periods. Official figures indicate that 1,341 bodies have been recovered, while 4,996 people remain missing. In Tibet, the death toll has risen to 43, with 519 individuals still unaccounted for.
Experts have also raised concerns about the potential spread of cholera due to the widespread damage and disruption to sanitation. The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Lila Pieters Yahia, emphasized the urgent need for investment in sanitation and hygiene to mitigate this risk. The flooding has also resulted in the deaths of an estimated 5,000 cattle.
Ms. Pieters Yahia appealed to the international community for immediate assistance, stating, "This is the time to help Nepal. It's not tomorrow and it's not yesterday."