Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep sadness over the severe flooding in Nepal and China, which has killed many people, left hundreds missing and caused widespread destruction. The United Nations has also allocated an initial USD 2 million for relief operations as teams assess the scale of the disaster and deliver urgent assistance.
A massive flash flood originating in Tibet swept through central Nepal on Wednesday, devastating several towns and villages, washing away key bridges and crippling a dozen hydropower projects as it moved downstream across multiple districts. More than 355 people were killed and over 825, including 288 Indian nationals, are missing in Nepal, while on the Chinese side of the border, three people died and nearly 560 are missing.
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In a statement issued by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday, Guterres said he was “saddened by the severe flooding in Nepal and China, which has claimed many lives, left people missing and caused widespread destruction”. He commended emergency responders working to save lives, reiterated the world body’s readiness to provide further support, extended condolences to the families of the victims, wished a swift recovery to those injured and expressed solidarity with all those affected.
The UN said it is supporting the Nepal government’s response, including assessing the damage and delivering urgent help. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said extensive damage had been reported across Nepal’s Rasuwa district and downstream areas of Nuwakot district. According to Nepali authorities, around 10,000 households need immediate relief. Settlements, markets, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure have been swept away or damaged, while roads have been cut off and electricity disrupted.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher described the flash floods in Nepal as “horrifying”. He said, “Emergency teams mobilised, more on standby as we assess. Close contact with authorities and regional partners. I’ve allocated initial USD 2 million from UN Global Emergency Fund CERF to save lives with emergency medical care, shelter, water.” OCHA said the Nepali government is leading the response, with the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police deployed and helicopters carrying out search and rescue operations.
Evacuation orders are in place along the Trishuli River corridor, covering parts of the Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan districts, as floodwaters move downstream. Parts of the affected districts have been declared disaster crisis zones for three months. The United Nations and its humanitarian partners, under Resident Coordinator Lila Pieters Yahia, are coordinating relief efforts in support of the government-led response.
Two World Health Organisation staff are already on site with medical kits sufficient for 10,000 people for three months, along with tents and logistics support. OCHA said humanitarian partners are also mobilising. Save the Children has started deploying staff to Nuwakot district, the Nepal Red Cross has dispatched 200 emergency shelter packages, and the UN Development Programme is mobilising data-management support and UN Volunteers. The humanitarian community remains on standby to provide more support as needs become clearer.
The UN is also helping to rapidly assess the scale of the disaster, with the Resident Coordinator and OCHA’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific working to secure satellite imagery and analysis of the affected areas. Overall, the UN response is focused on supporting Nepal’s relief effort as the flooding in Nepal and China continues to leave heavy human and infrastructure losses.
With PTI Inputs
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
