The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday shared an update on Indian nationals and India’s rescue and relief efforts in Nepal as of 7.30 pm on September 1.
The disaster was triggered last week by a glacial collapse that sent ice, mud, rocks and fast-moving water through a valley in Nepal. Entire settlements were swept away. Videos showed people trying to escape as huge walls of water and debris engulfed buildings, destroyed bridges and power lines, and carried away trees, boulders and vehicles. Emergency crews are using helicopters and other aircraft to reach communities cut off after floods and landslides destroyed roads and bridges.
The number of people killed in the catastrophic floods in Nepal and China rose above 1,000 on Tuesday as rescue operations entered their seventh day. By Tuesday evening, the death toll in Nepal had reached 1,050, while around 4,000 people were still missing. This includes nearly 600 foreigners from 39 countries, Bloomberg reported. At least 11,993 people have been rescued so far in Nepal.
The team faced several challenges, including extremely restricted access space, limitations on the use of specialised equipment due to the terrain and a marshy tunnel floor.
The MEA said the Indian tunnel rescue team established a foothold at hydropower tunnels in Chilime. It added that the team would continue its efforts tomorrow to try and rescue any individuals who may be trapped inside the tunnel.
