Nepali rescuers buoyed by miracle finds but tough conditions persist

KATHMANDU - Nepali rescuers persevered through difficult conditions on Sunday, the 12th day of search efforts following a catastrophic flood, as four survivors were miraculously rescued. The glacial and mountain collapse on the China-Nepal border has claimed at least 1,372 lives and left over 5,500 people missing across the two nations.

On Saturday, two additional individuals were found alive, continuing a series of "miraculous survival stories." Three of these rescues occurred in hydropower tunnels, where the government initially believed up to 100 workers could still be alive. Despite challenging terrain, harsh weather, and poor connectivity, rescue operations persisted in these tunnels.

Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha reported various obstacles faced by the rescue workers. On Saturday, a Chinese man was pulled alive from inside a hydropower tunnel, and a 64-year-old Nepali woman, Chandrika Shrestha, was rescued from her mud-covered home. Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated that this latter rescue had provided hope to the entire nation.

A day prior, two Nepali hydropower workers were rescued from the Trishuli 3A tunnel, with rescue efforts ongoing at multiple sites, including at least 12 hydropower projects. Biraj Bhakta Shrestha mentioned that power restoration work was continuing in several areas, utilizing solar solutions where connectivity was limited. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal characterized the disaster as a "Himalayan tsunami," warning that reconstruction costs could reach into the billions of dollars.

The United Nations has launched a $50 million appeal to aid over 84,000 affected individuals. Mortuaries are overflowing, leading Nepal to bury hundreds of bodies in mass graves, with DNA samples taken for future identification. As of now, around 100 bodies have been identified and returned to families. Nepal plans to observe a national day of mourning on Monday, the 13th day since the disaster, in accordance with Hindu mourning customs.

The precise cause of the glacial collapse remains uncertain, but climate change is exacerbating glacial melting globally, heightening the risk of such tragedies. Chinese state media reported 31 fatalities and 531 missing in Tibet, bringing the combined total to 1,372 dead and more than 5,500 missing, including approximately 800 foreigners, such as tourists and pilgrims.