Rescue operations are underway to locate hundreds of individuals missing in the Nepal-Tibet border area after a glacier collapse triggered a devastating flood of water and mud. Reports from Nepal and China indicate that over 390 people have lost their lives, with more than 1,400 still unaccounted for. Another source cites at least 359 fatalities and close to 1,000 missing persons, including citizens from various countries. Among those missing are 30 Canadians and permanent residents.
A couple from Port Moody, B.C., Dhaval and Megha Shah, are among the Canadians whose whereabouts remain unknown. According to Nikita Shah, Dhaval’s cousin, the couple was on a spiritual journey in Nepal, with their last communication received on Tuesday evening. They were reportedly staying at Hotel Kailash. Concerned about misinformation, Nikita Shah urged the Canadian government to provide assistance in locating the missing couple.
Global Affairs Canada has dispatched five consular officials to Kathmandu to aid Canadians and collaborate with local authorities. The Nepal Tourism Board previously reported 25 missing Canadians. The disaster has severely impacted the region’s infrastructure, with buildings covered in mud, debris scattered, and vehicles buried.
The United Nations has allocated $2 million from its emergency fund for medical care, shelter, and water assistance in the affected areas. The majority of casualties and missing individuals are in Nepal, with a smaller number in Tibet. The Nepal Red Cross Society has shifted its focus to large-scale relief efforts, providing aid to displaced individuals. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported significant damage in Tibet, with roads leading to the Gyirong Port severely impacted by mudslides.
The tragic event was initially thought to be an earthquake but was later identified as a glacier collapse by the U.S. Geological Survey. Climate experts attribute the flash flood to an avalanche from a glacier, emphasizing the rapid rise in water levels and the devastating impact on local rivers. The frequency of glacier melting in the region has increased due to human-induced climate change, with glaciers melting at an accelerated rate since 2000.
