Catastrophic flash floods wreaked havoc in central Nepal following relentless rains that swelled the Bhote Koshi River
At least 95 people were killed and nearly 400, including 133 Indians, were missing after a torrential flash flood originating in Tibet swept through central Nepal, devastating towns and villages, washing away bridges and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects on Wednesday. Rasuwa is around 125 km northeast of Kathmandu. Foreign minister Shisir Khanal told the House of Representatives that 80 security personnel, including 44 Nepal Army personnel, were also missing from various locations. (With agency inputs) You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in Delhi Stay updated with the latest Delhi news.
He said the immediate concern was for employees from Nepal working at the restaurant chain in Delhi, PTI reported.
“It is a very saddening and distressing incident,” said Prashant Singh, chief executive officer of Yeti – The Himalayan Kitchen. “As soon as we learnt about the situation, our staff immediately started reaching out to their parents, friends and relatives to check on their well-being and make sure they were safe,” Singh said. He said the atmosphere among the staff was one of genuine worry as they waited for updates from home. It is heartbreaking to see what has happened, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy, particularly those who are still trying to get in touch with their loved ones,” Singh said. Manish, who moved to Delhi from Nepal two years ago for work and now works at a bar in a Tibetan restaurant in Hauz Khas, said his family in Pokhara had also been trying to contact people in the affected regions. “People back home have been calling each other since morning because nobody really knows what is happening there,” he said. Manish said his family was safe in Pokhara, but relatives and friends in Nuwakot were difficult to reach. Another waiter from northern Nepal, who did not wish to be named, said he had been repeatedly trying to contact his family and friends. “I have been trying to get in touch with my family and friends back home, and I am very worried about them,” he said. He said many people in Delhi were glued to their phones as they waited for news. We have been constantly checking our phones and trying to find out what is happening,” he said. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River around 9am local time, affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet, officials said.
The floods, triggered by torrential rains and a surge in the Bhote Koshi River near the Tibet border, swept through parts of central Nepal, damaging bridges, villages and hydropower projects and leaving hundreds of people missing. For many Nepali workers in Delhi, the disaster was deeply personal as they tried to establish contact with relatives in affected regions. their parents, siblings, friends and relatives remained in Nepal, including in and around the flood-hit regions While many did not belong to the affected areas. “We wanted to make sure that our people knew we were standing with them and that we were doing everything possible to check on their families at this difficult time. “I was also trying to call from Delhi, but you don’t know who to call or what number will work. I saw videos coming on social media and I am worried after seeing the extent of damage there. “I have been away for two years, but most of my family is still there. Everyone was just trying to find out who was safe,” he added. “A close friend of mine is here in Delhi, but our families and many of the people we know are back in Nepal. “It is very difficult to concentrate on work when you are sitting here and worrying about whether your loved ones are safe. I just hope they are all okay and that we hear from them soon,” he added. Floodwaters later spread to Nuwakot and Chitwan districts, damaging at least four permanent bridges and several temporary ones. Download the TOI App.
NEW DELHI: As devastating flash floods swept through parts of Nepal on Wednesday, Nepali workers and residents in Delhi spent hours trying to reach family members and friends back home, with disrupted communication and reports of deaths and missing people fuelling anxiety.