Rescuers continue grim search for Nepal flood survivors

KATHMANDU: In the aftermath of Nepal's devastating flood disaster, search and rescue teams are working tirelessly to find survivors amid a death toll that has surpassed 1,200, according to the disaster agency. The crisis began on August 26 when a massive glacial and rock collapse triggered a tsunami-like surge of water and mud that swept through the China-Nepal border, affecting multiple hydropower projects.

As of now, 1,294 bodies have been recovered in Nepal, with 5,053 people still missing. In China, the death toll stands at 31, with 531 people reported missing, bringing the combined death toll to 1,325, and 5,584 people still unaccounted for.

Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet informed that rescue operations are ongoing at the Trishuli 3A tunnel, where two workers were rescued on Friday after being trapped for nine days. The rescuers described the event as a "miracle," as the two men, heavily covered in mud, were pulled out alive and are currently in stable condition at a local hospital.

The disaster has prompted an international aid effort, with experts from India, China, Australia, and South Korea assisting the Nepali rescue teams in their search for survivors inside blocked tunnels. The government has provided accommodation for the thousands of displaced people residing in temporary relief camps, promising a better environment for them to rebuild their lives.