'Like a movie scene': Chain of events that led to Nepal floods that killed over 600

At least 32 Canadian citizens and permanent residents are missing after flash floods struck Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, leaving their whereabouts unconfirmed. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced this grim news on Friday evening, informing Canadians that consular officials are tirelessly working to locate and assist the missing individuals and their families back home.

Five consular personnel have been deployed in Kathmandu, collaborating closely with local authorities, airlines, and tour operators to reach those cut off from communication. Anand expressed deep sympathy for the people of Nepal and China, whose lives have been devastated by the catastrophic floods. The Canadian government is extending a helping hand by providing CA$5 million in urgent humanitarian aid, covering essential relief supplies like food, shelter, water, sanitation, and health services for the affected communities.

Although the final death toll remains uncertain, over 600 fatalities have already been reported in the impacted regions of Tibet and Nepal, with nearly 2,500 people still unaccounted for. The Foreign Affairs Ministry emphasized that the scale of the tragedy is immense, necessitating an immediate scaling up of humanitarian efforts to ensure life-saving assistance reaches those most in need.

Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai, conveyed the government's commitment to providing initial relief efforts while exploring additional support options as the situation continues to unfold.