Rescue teams in Nepal are still struggling to reach hundreds of people who may be trapped in tunnels and underground areas of half a dozen hydropower projects. Authorities believe more than 900 workers are missing after the devastating flash floods.
The death toll from the unprecedented flood of ice, rock, mud, and debris that swept through Nepal’s valleys last Wednesday has risen to 903. On the Tibetan side of the border, 16 deaths are reported. More than 4,000 people are missing in Nepal, and another 500 in Tibet. Hundreds of bodies, many unidentified, have been buried in shallow graves.
Large-Scale Rescue Operation
Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah said nearly 21,000 security personnel are involved in rescue operations, in addition to civilian helpers and volunteers. State-run Chinese broadcaster CCTV reported that Beijing has mobilized more than 2,100 rescue workers.
The Red Cross estimates that more than 90,000 people could be affected by the disaster. China and some experts attribute the event to the impacts of the climate crisis.
Racist Comments Against Missing Australians
The disaster has sparked a debate about racism in Australia. A series of racist comments about missing Australians have been posted on social media. Most of them were on pilgrimage trips, including to Kailash in Tibet.
Mainstream media such as News Corp, Channel 7, Channel 10, and Nine were confronted with highly offensive and discriminatory comments on Facebook articles identifying the missing Australians.
The flood disaster in Nepal has triggered one of the largest rescue operations in the country’s history. The international community has offered support while authorities continue to fight for the lives of the missing.
Source: www.theguardian.com
