Nepali students in Delhi worry for kin after devastating flash floods: ‘Situation is uncertain’

Nepali students studying in Delhi are growing increasingly anxious for their relatives after witnessing the devastating flash floods in their home country. Bikas, a student at Delhi University, expressed his concern for relatives living near the Bhote Koshi River, which surged through Rasuwa and Dhading districts. "The situation is uncertain," Bikas said, as he frequently checked his phone for updates.

Another student, Suyog Bansal, also voiced worry for relatives living close to the affected regions, despite their own families being safe in Kathmandu. Meanwhile, Nitya, a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University, shared that her brother's friend is missing after venturing into the flood-affected area. "We are all worried because we do not know how the situation will develop," she said.

The students emphasized that their situation is made more challenging by being away from home, as they rely on phone calls and messages for information. They noted that many Nepali students on the DU campus have families in various parts of Nepal, some of which are not affected by the floods. Still, the sight of people being swept away in videos on social media adds to their unease.

The flash floods were triggered by an ice-rock landslide blocking a river near the Nepal-China border, affecting several districts and leaving nearly 826 people missing. The death toll rose to 270, with 288 Indians, including those working on hydropower projects and tourist groups, remaining missing. The Ministry of External Affairs reported that 21 Indians from Tamil Nadu have been rescued.

Major highways remain blocked, and extensive damage has been caused to bridges and roads in the affected areas.