Nepal floods: UN calls for urgent aid as death toll crosses 600

A devastating flash flood and mudslide that swept through Nepal's Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday has triggered a major humanitarian crisis, with United Nations officials calling for urgent international assistance. The disaster has primarily affected the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading in Bagmati Province.

Lila Pieters Yahia, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, visited the disaster zone on Friday and reported that approximately 40 kilometers of road have been completely destroyed. Her visit was cut short due to a renewed flood alert in the area. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, but efforts are being hampered by the widespread damage to transport links.

David Fisher, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) delegation in Nepal, stated that at least 93,000 people have been affected and are in dire need of assistance. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has reported that 18 schools have been completely destroyed and another 20 damaged, impacting an estimated 10,000 school-aged children in the region.

The human toll is severe. According to Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 626 bodies had been recovered from mudslide-hit areas as of 10:00 AM local time on Saturday. The authority also reported that 2,426 people remain missing.

Meteorological authorities have predicted further rainfall in northern Nepal in the coming days. This could worsen the situation by further damaging road access, complicating rescue efforts, and potentially increasing the number of casualties. The immediate need for humanitarian aid, including shelter, clean water, and medical supplies, is critical as the affected communities grapple with the aftermath of the catastrophe.