Nepali rescuers buoyed by miracle finds as tough conditions persist

Nepali rescuers faced challenging conditions as their search operations entered their 12th day following catastrophic floods on the China-Nepal border. The disaster has claimed at least 1,372 lives and left over 5,500 people missing across the two nations. Rescue teams discovered two more survivors, bringing the total rescued to four, a series of "miraculous" rescues according to officials.

Three of the rescued individuals were found in hydropower tunnels, where authorities initially believed over 100 workers could be alive. Despite the difficult terrain, adverse weather, and limited connectivity, rescue efforts continue in the tunnels. Rescuers have retrieved 1,341 bodies so far, leaving around 4,996 people missing, including approximately 800 foreigners.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah expressed hope following the rescue of a 64-year-old Nepali woman, Chandrika Shrestha, from her mud-covered home. The government estimates the reconstruction costs could reach billions of dollars, with the UN launching a US$50 million appeal to aid the affected regions. Nepal is holding a national day of mourning on Monday, the 13th day since the disaster, in line with Hindu rituals.

The exact cause of the glacial collapse remains unclear, but climate change is contributing to the risk of such disasters, as glaciers worldwide are melting at an accelerated rate.