By Sharachchandra Bhandary
KATHMANDU, August 28: At least 359 bodies have been recovered in Nepal following devastating floods and mudslides that swept through several parts of the country, while hundreds of people remain missing. The casualty figures are expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue in the affected areas.
According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 403 tourists have been reported missing in Nepal, including 62 Nepalis and 341 foreign nationals. Many of the missing tourists were travelling along the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route.
The National Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs said around 40 buses carrying pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar have gone missing in the flood- and landslide-affected areas. Federation President Punya Prasad Sitaula said the buses were among the vehicles affected by the disaster.
The disaster has also struck the Gyirong Port area in Gyirong County of China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, prompting close coordination between Nepal and China over search-and-rescue efforts.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Thursday that China and Nepal are maintaining close communication and coordinating efforts for search and rescue.
“The Chinese side is ready to provide emergency assistance in light of Nepal’s need,” Lin said, while expressing heartfelt sympathies to the Government of Nepal and all those affected by the disaster.
According to information released by local Chinese authorities, 260 foreign nationals remain unaccounted for in the affected areas in China, with further details pending verification due to difficult conditions on the ground.
Lin said Chinese rescuers regard every life as precious, regardless of nationality, and that Chinese authorities are communicating with relevant foreign embassies in China to keep them informed about foreign nationals affected by the disaster.
On the situation in Nepal, Lin said nearly 100 Chinese nationals remain missing. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal is seeking further verification from the Nepali side and has issued a safety alert to Chinese nationals in the country.
The embassy has urged Chinese nationals to move to safety and take precautions against possible secondary hazards. It remains available around the clock to assist Chinese nationals in need.
The cross-border disaster has disrupted transport and communications in several areas and complicated efforts to establish the whereabouts of missing people.
Nepali authorities and security agencies are continuing search, rescue and relief operations, while coordination with China remains important in locating missing persons and assisting those affected on both sides of the border.
With many areas still difficult to access and rescue teams continuing to search for missing people, the casualty figures are likely to rise further.
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