Kathmandu, Aug 28;
Survivors of Nepal’s catastrophic flash floods have described scenes of complete devastation, with homes, roads and entire settlements swept away by a debris-laden surge that has left hundreds dead or missing.
The death toll rose to 270 on Thursday as rescue teams continued searching for survivors in one of Nepal’s worst natural disasters in recent years.
The disaster began after an ice-rock avalanche upstream blocked the Lhende tributary of the Bhote Koshi River near the Nepal-Tibet border. The obstruction triggered a massive release of water and debris, sending destructive flash floods downstream through several districts.
Eyewitnesses said the speed and force of the flood left little time for people to escape. Several survivors reported losing homes, belongings and livelihoods within minutes, while rescue workers struggled to reach remote areas.
Authorities fear the toll could rise further as hundreds remain missing. The disaster has also affected foreign visitors, including Indian tourists, who were in the region for trekking and pilgrimage.
The focus has now shifted to search-and-rescue operations, emergency relief and restoring access to isolated communities as Nepal confronts the enormous humanitarian impact of the floods.