‘Himalayan tsunami’ leaves Nepal facing vast aid challenge, UN says

The United Nations has warned of the immense difficulty in reaching Nepal flood survivors, as destroyed roads have forced aid workers to consider using cargo drones and porters to deliver essential supplies to isolated Himalayan communities. Over 1,200 people have been killed and around 5,600 are still missing on both sides of the China-Nepal border following a catastrophic glacial mountain collapse on August 26.

UN Resident Coordinator Lila Pieters Yahia described the disaster as "incredible" and "incredible" the magnitude of the destruction. Over 800 foreigners from at least 34 countries are among those missing, including tourists and pilgrims. Families of some missing foreigners in Kathmandu are searching hospitals and morgues for any information.

In China, relatives are sharing images of missing people on social media, hoping for news. The floods destroyed roads, bridges, and hydropower dams, leaving communities cut off. The UN, working with Nepal's government, is delivering water, sanitation kits, food, and medicine to the devastated areas. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal called the situation a "Himalayan tsunami," emphasizing the severity of the disaster.

Nepal needs specialized international assistance, including heavy-lift drones, temporary bridges, and a mobile air traffic control system. Over 21,000 Nepali security personnel are involved in search, rescue, and relief operations. Despite the efforts, the UN warns that gaps in assistance are inevitable due to the scale of the catastrophe.