Rescue efforts continue in Nepal following a devastating glacier collapse that triggered severe flooding along the Trishuli River, affecting communities on both the Nepalese and Chinese sides of the border. Operations were temporarily suspended for three hours but have since resumed amid ongoing concerns about the stability of two glacial lakes formed after the collapse. Authorities warn that the threat of further flooding will persist until these lakes are fully drained.
Despite some officials expressing skepticism about the likelihood of finding survivors—one travel official previously estimated the chance at just one percent—Nepalese authorities maintain cautious optimism and continue search and rescue efforts.
In Kathmandu, the national capital, hospitals have been overwhelmed with victims. At Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, one of the country’s largest medical centers, relatives gathered in large numbers, anxiously searching for their missing family members among the incoming flood casualties. The hospital morgue is currently holding 25 bodies, with an additional 20 expected as recovery efforts progress. Other hospitals across the region are also receiving victims.
Among those searching was Karma Singh Lama, a business owner whose uncle and two brothers, all guides returning from Mount Kailash, have been unaccounted for since the disaster struck early on the day of the incident. He last heard from them around 5 a.m., shortly before the flooding began. “I cannot express in words how worried I am,” Karma said as he searched for any information on their fate.
The disaster has also deeply affected pilgrims and local travelers. Arts student Binayak Raz Panta came to the hospital seeking news of four missing relatives who were swept away while traveling by bus to the Gosaikunda pilgrimage site. The bus had stopped abruptly due to safety concerns, and when one passenger got out, the entire vehicle was subsequently carried off by the floodwaters. Binayak’s brother survived but remains traumatized.
In a similar search, teacher Peter Sharma posted a notice for his missing brother-in-law, Dhan Bahadur Nepali, an engineer working on a hydroelectric project along the Trishuli River. Dhan has not been heard from since the flooding began, and the family has received no updates. “My sister has been fainting,” Peter shared, reflecting the emotional toll on those waiting.
Many families are left in anguish, with some unable to speak or visibly distraught, underscoring the scale of the human tragedy unfolding in the wake of this natural disaster. Authorities continue to coordinate response efforts as the community grapples with the aftermath and the uncertain fate of many missing individuals.