62 Ukrainians are missing in Nepal following a flood
In Nepal, following a sudden flood and landslide, the number of Ukrainians who are out of contact has risen. As of the evening of August 28, the Ukrainian Embassy reported that 62 citizens were missing.
The Ukrainian Embassy in India, which is also responsible for consular affairs in Nepal, reported on the situation. According to diplomats, as of 7:00 p.m. Indian time on August 28, or 4:30 p.m. Kyiv time, 62 Ukrainian citizens were known to be out of contact. The Ukrainians were in the Rasuwa district of the Bagmati province. A sudden flood broke out there, followed by a landslide. “As of 7:00 p.m. Indian time (4:30 p.m. Kyiv time) on August 28, the Embassy is aware of 62 Ukrainian citizens with whom contact has been lost as a result of a sudden flood and landslide in Rasuwa District, Bagmati Province,” the embassy reported.
Ukrainian diplomats are already in Nepal and are participating in the search for the missing people. However, rescue workers are currently having difficulty reaching the main area affected by the disaster. The land route is blocked.
From Kathmandu, it is currently possible to travel by car only as far as the Nuwakot district. From there, rescue teams mainly reach the affected areas by helicopter. Air operations are also limited due to weather conditions. According to the embassy, helicopters can usually operate only until 2:00–3:00 p.m. “Ground access to the main disaster area remains blocked. By car from Kathmandu, it is currently only possible to reach the Nuwakot district, and further access to the affected areas is primarily by helicopter,” the diplomats noted.
Search operations are not limited to the Rasuwa-Timur area alone. The floodwaters could have carried people and debris far downstream, so rescuers are also checking areas further downstream.
The situation became even more complicated on August 28. Nepalese authorities issued an emergency warning due to a sharp rise in water levels. There was also a threat of a new glacial lake outburst forming in the border area.
Due to the danger, search and rescue operations in certain areas have been temporarily suspended. Rescuers and equipment have been moved to safe locations. “Search and rescue operations in hazardous areas have been temporarily suspended; rescuers and equipment are being moved to safe locations,” the Ukrainian Embassy reported.
Diplomats continue to work with Nepalese authorities to locate the Ukrainians with whom contact has been lost. Currently, there are 62 Ukrainian citizens with whom contact has been lost. This does not mean that all of them have perished. Definitive information about their fate can only be determined after search operations are completed. This was reported by the Ukrainian Embassy in India.
In Nepal, at least 1,924 people are considered missing following the floods. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Nepal and Tibet. Rescuers in Nepal are hampered by the rugged Himalayan terrain, mudslides, and the risk of further flooding.
