Nepal mourns as families pray missing loved ones are still alive
KATHMANDU: Nepal held a national day of mourning with candlelight vigils on Monday for victims of devastating glacial floods, as families of missing hydropower workers feared trapped in tunnels prayed rescuers might yet find them alive.
KATHMANDU: Nepal observed a national day of mourning on Monday, with candlelight vigils held in memory of the victims of a devastating glacial flood that occurred on August 26th. The disaster, which happened on the China-Nepal border, resulted in at least 1,399 deaths, with over 5,500 people still missing, including around 800 foreigners.
The nation marked the 13th day of mourning in line with Hindu rituals. Hundreds of hydropower workers are among the missing, but the rescue efforts of three workers have provided some hope that others might still be alive.
The rescue teams are continuing their efforts at a rapid pace, with the Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet assuring that no one is left stranded. However, families of the missing workers, who gathered in Kathmandu, expressed their growing frustration, questioning the government's pace of rescue operations. Reena Amatya Shrestha, whose brother is among the missing, emphasized the need for tangible results, questioning if the rescue operations are truly making a difference.
Arnold Dix, an Australian tunnel rescue expert advising Nepali teams, described the operation as unprecedented, with multiple potential rescues taking place simultaneously. Each rescue comes with its own set of dangers and uncertainties. Foreign experts, including those from China, India and South Korea, are aiding the Nepali teams in their rescue efforts.
Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel visited relief camps, expressing his condolences to those affected by the disaster. He assured everyone waiting for news of their loved ones that the search and rescue operations will continue. Despite the overwhelming grief, there have been some remarkable tales of survival. Chandika Shrestha, a 64-year-old Nepali woman, was pulled out alive from her mud-covered home on Saturday, and her family's initial belief that she had died has been shattered.
Several families held last rites ceremonies to mark the 13th day of mourning, while Buddhist monks conducted prayers for the dead. Despite the gloom, the resilience of the Nepali people remains evident.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
