Nepal Braces for New Floods as Death Toll Surpasses 800

POLICY WIRE — Kathmandu, Nepal — Authorities in Nepal have issued fresh flood warnings, urging residents in affected areas to stay vigilant as river levels continue to rise. The death toll from the recent floods has surpassed 800, with thousands still missing.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that 788 people have died and 2,502 are missing in Nepal, while Chinese authorities confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing on their side of the border. The warnings came after an increase in water flow in the Bhotekoshi River, informed by Chinese officials.

Residents in flood-hit villages are grappling with the constant alerts. Govind Shreshta, a local resident, described the struggle: Sometimes they say a flood is coming, then we have to run again to higher ground, even at night. There is also rain. it is really difficult for me. I have elderly parents and I am exhausted.

In Dhading, one of the hardest-hit regions, some residents have begun returning to their damaged homes to salvage what they can. Sharmila Tamang, a resident, lamented, Everything is finished. Nothing is left. Not even our home.

At a major power plant damaged by the floods, workers have started assessing the destruction. The plant provides electricity to over 20,000 people across four districts. The missing include hundreds of foreigners who were in the region for work, tourism, or pilgrimage.

The floods were triggered by a glacial collapse in the Himalayan region, causing a torrent of water that devastated areas in Tibet and Nepal. Nepal’s foreign minister, Shisir Khanal, called for a global response to climate change, noting Nepal’s disproportionate impact despite its minimal contribution to global emissions.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that his country will dispatch a search-and-rescue team to Nepal and pledged $1 million in financial aid to support relief efforts.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)