{
  "id": 6061093,
  "title": "Miracle rescues lift hopes as Nepal flood search enters 12th day",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/miracle-rescues-lift-hopes-as-nepal-flood-search-enters-12th-day",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T23:38:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/09/1527224/miracle-rescues-lift-hopes-nepal-flood-search-enters-12th-day"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kathmandu witnessed challenging search operations on the 12th day of catastrophic floods, which were fueled by the miraculous rescues of four survivors. The glacial and mountain collapse along the China-Nepal border claimed at least 1,385 lives, leaving over 5,500 people missing across the two nations. On Saturday, two additional people were found alive, bringing the total number of survivors to six, all of whom were discovered in hydropower tunnels. Despite the challenging geography, adverse weather, and lack of connectivity, rescue efforts continue in these tunnels, as acknowledged by Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha. The wall of icy water and debris wreaked havoc on mountain districts on August 26, destroying roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. UN Resident Coordinator Lila Pieters Yahia expressed deep concern over the lives shattered in just a span of one to two minutes, emphasizing the loss of homes, livelihoods, loved ones, and breadwinners. Prime Minister Balendra Shah highlighted Chandrika Shrestha's rescue, a 64-year-old Nepali woman found in her mud-covered home, as a source of hope for the entire nation. The remarkable survival stories extend beyond these incidents, with school principal Rajendra Dawadi saving hundreds of students by prompting an evacuation when the torrent approached. Energy Minister Shrestha also mentioned the efforts to restore electricity in several affected areas through solar power, given the unreachable nature of some regions. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal called the disaster a \"Himalayan tsunami\" and cautioned that reconstruction costs could soar into the billions of dollars. The UN has launched a US$50 million appeal to aid over 84,000 affected individuals. Due to overflowing mortuaries, Nepal has resorted to burying hundreds of bodies in mass graves, utilizing DNA samples for future identification. Currently, only around 100 bodies have been identified and returned to their families. Nepal will observe a national day of mourning on Monday, the 13th day since the disaster, in adherence to traditional Hindu mourning practices. While the precise cause of the glacial collapse remains uncertain, climate change is exacerbating glacial melting globally, heightening the risk of such disasters. So far, rescue teams have recovered 1,342 bodies, with approximately 4,996 people still missing, as per the disaster agency. In Tibet, the death toll has climbed from 31 to 43, and 519 people remain missing, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.",
  "summary": "KATHMANDU: Nepali rescuers faced challenging conditions on Sunday as search operations after catastrophic floods entered a 12th day, buoyed by the extraordinary rescues of four survivors.",
  "key_points": [
    "Miraculous rescues of four survivors on 12th day of floods",
    "Glacial collapse claimed 1,385 lives, left 5,500 missing",
    "UN launches $50 million appeal for 84,000 affected individuals"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Nepal’s request for flood payout tests new climate-aid system",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/nepals-request-for-flood-payout-tests-new-climate-aid-system",
        "published": "2026-09-07T00:07:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}