‘I had to turn my eyes away’: Search for loved ones missing in Nepal flood turns grim in Kathmandu

Rescue operations in Nepal are ongoing following devastating floods that have resulted in a death toll surpassing 900, with thousands still missing. The floods, which occurred along the Nepal-China border, were triggered by a glacier collapse that unleashed a wall of mud and debris. Authorities are focusing their efforts on reaching workers trapped in hydropower project tunnels, particularly at the Trishuli 3A and 3B sites, where more than 100 workers are believed to still be alive. Rescuers have begun pumping air into the tunnels and sending cameras inside to assess the situation (South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera). As search and rescue operations continue, aid is being flown into cut-off districts by helicopter. The Nepali army has been actively involved in the rescue efforts, which are complicated by the formation of a newly created lake upstream. This lake poses a risk of bursting and causing further flooding, prompting authorities to keep emergency teams on high alert (France24, Euronews). The situation remains dire, with communities grappling with the aftermath of the floods and the potential for additional flooding events (Euronews). The search for survivors is particularly grim in Kathmandu, where families are anxiously searching for their loved ones. Many have expressed their anguish as they await news of those missing (The Straits Times). The scale of the disaster has prompted a coordinated response from various agencies, as the focus remains on locating and rescuing those trapped and providing assistance to affected communities.