Kathmandu: The number of people estimated to have been directly affected by Wednesday’s flash floods and landslide in Nepal is close to one lakh.
“The trauma of this event is enormous,” David Fisher, head of delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Nepal, said at a press briefing on Friday.
“Thousands of homes have been destroyed or suffered significant damage. We believe that at least 93,000 people have been affected and are in great need. The death toll is very high and unfortunately likely to continue to rise.”
At least 547 people have lost their lives in Nepal and 5 in China after devastating floods and landslides swept through Nepal’s Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river regions bordering Tibet.
One encouraging piece of news amid the gloom is that China said on Friday the overflow from a barrier lake near the Nepal border has stopped. Immediate fears of another surge of water have eased, and rescue workers are preparing to resume operations after a suspension on Thursday over renewed flood risks, CCTV reported.
Still, authorities in Nepal have been trying to evacuate as many people as possible from the river banks.
As aid from around the world is being sent to Kathmandu, the European Union (EU) has pledged 2 million euros ($2.3 million) in aid for Nepal.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen posted on X that the “immediate humanitarian aid” will help “deliver life-saving assistance to families and communities hit hardest.”