Rivers of mud and missing pilgrims: UAE residents tell of loss in Nepal floods

Nepali residents living in the United Arab Emirates have shared harrowing stories of devastation and loss following the devastating floods in Nepal. The floods have claimed over 900 lives and left more than 4,200 people missing, including numerous Nepali neighbours and friends. Manoj Marahatta, a Nepali entrepreneur in Dubai, expressed his grief upon learning that 32 of his neighbours were missing after their bus was swept away in the flood.

He described the surreal scene of mud-clogged streets and overwhelmed rescue teams, struggling to locate survivors and retrieve bodies. The Nepali government has revealed that more than 500 foreign nationals remain among the missing, highlighting the global impact of the disaster. Despite the immense destruction, Nepali residents in the UAE have rallied together, organizing sports events and fundraising to support the Nepali Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.

The UAE has also contributed $10 million in humanitarian aid, including a recent shipment of food and shelter supplies. The Nepali embassy in Abu Dhabi has mobilized all available resources to search for and rescue victims, with a focus on securing the lives of both Nepali citizens and foreign nationals affected by the flood disaster.