Search and rescue underway for over 1,400 missing people after Nepal-Tibet floods

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The death toll is rising in Nepal after an unprecedented flood devastated the region near the Chinese border.

More than 350 people were killed and more than 1,400 were missing, including 30 Canadians, with those numbers expected to rise dramatically, following the flood wave that hit parts of Nepal and China.

An area along the Nepal-China border was struck by a monstrous flood of water, ice and rock that travelled down the river valley at close to 200 km/h, swallowing up everything in its path.

“Nepal sees more than its fair share of these kinds of events but this one … is the worst that I’ve ever seen,” said Daniel Shugar, associate professor and geomorphologist at the University of Calgary.

Scientists say the wave started after an enormous chunk of glacier broke off from high on a mountain, and fell thousands of feet to a river below.

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While landslides are not uncommon in the mountain region, one of this magnitude is unprecedented.

Authorities have warned that the area could see more flooding, after the water levels of a newly formed lake on the Nepal side started rising. There is also the threat of monsoon rains in the forecast.

“Almost four districts have been cut off from the mainland — all the bridges have been washed away and because of the high velocity of flooding, it’s like a flash flood, so people could not protect themselves,” said Tribhuvan Hospital deputy director Gopal Sedain.

“Getting around Nepal in the best of days is difficult, made more difficult during the monsoon season as roads wash out, but this river basically splits Nepal in half, so all of the main roadways, trade arteries, everything in this is destroyed,” said Ben Ayers, a journalist for Outside Magazine, based in Nepal. “For rescue teams, the only real way to access the areas will be by helicopter.”

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Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says 30 Canadians and permanent residents are now reported missing.

“Canada stands strong with all of those affected by the tragic flash floods along the border of Nepal and China that have caused loss of life, widespread destruction and washed away villages,” Anand said in a statement. “We are monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide assistance as appropriate.”

The president of Nepalese Canadian Community Services, Sudarshan Sapkota, has been trying to reach his family members there, but phones, internet, and power are still down.

“It’s devastating and heartbreaking to see the bodies of people like that, it’s very devastating,” said Sapkota. “The pictures, the images we’re seeing right now is worrying — it’s heartbreaking, very heartbreaking.”

Although the origins of the missing Canadians are unclear right now, the Hamilton Nepali Community Organization and Network (HanCON) released a statement expressing their sadness.

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“HanCON urges members of the Hamilton community, the broader Nepali diaspora and local partners to keep the affected families in their thoughts and stand ready to assist as verified fundraising and humanitarian relief channels are established,” said the Hamilton Nepali Community Organization and Network.

Working closely with the government of Nepal and humanitarian partners, UNICEF is scaling up life-saving support across health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene.

“UNICEF is on the ground, we’re working with the government and partners to assess the situation, to understand what it is that children and families need and to respond accordingly,” said Preena Shrestha with UNICEF. “But our priority first and foremost is the children, to make sure that they’re safe, protected and eventually able to recover from this disaster.”

Global Affairs Canada says it’s monitoring the situation closely, but power outages in the region have made it “challenging” to establish full communication with those on the ground.

The department said it is deploying five consular officials to Kathmandu for support.

Neighbouring countries including China and South Korea have boots on the ground, with additional humanitarian aid expected from the European Union and India.

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