Express in Nepal: At search and rescue hub, helicopters, stench of death

On Wednesday morning, Milan Kharil, a 32-year-old geologist engineer at the Trishuli 1 hydropower plant, warned a colleague to flee to higher ground as a flood approached. Tragically, Milan's phone lost signal at 9:26 am, leaving him missing. Two days later, his sister Priya remains hopeful that he will be found alive. The main hub for search and rescue operations in Nepal is the Shree No. 1 Military Training Centre in Trishuli, Nuwakot district.

This centre has become the focal point as Nepalese forces search the valleys and hills for survivors of the devastating flash flood that swept through districts near the Tibetan border. As of Friday evening, official reports estimated 579 deaths, with 1,924 people still missing, including at least 320 Indian nationals. Rescue operations involve an extensive effort, with 4,451 people rescued so far, including 517 by air on Friday alone.

Over 15,000 security personnel, primarily from the Nepal Army, have been deployed in these operations. Despite the ongoing rescue efforts, heavy rains and the risk of further flooding present a second threat.