The Nepali Society UAE has expressed its sorrow over the loss of life caused by the torrential floods in the Himalayan border areas of Nepal and China.
More than 330 people are known to have died, and more than 1,300 are missing after a wall of mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river, sending catastrophic floods through towns and valleys. The death toll stood at 162 as of Thursday morning.
The UAE is home to an estimated 700,000 Nepalis, making them one of the country’s largest resident communities.
“In this tragic hour, we offer our heartfelt tributes to all those who lost their lives and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” said Jeevan Pengeni, general secretary of Nepali Society UAE, in a statement on Facebook.
“Furthermore, we earnestly request the relevant authorities to move forward effectively with the prompt search and rescue of missing citizens, proper medical treatment for the injured, and relief and rehabilitation for the affected families.
“During this difficult time of disaster, we wish for the unity, support, and humanitarian cooperation among all Nepalis residing both within the country and abroad to become even stronger.
“The Nepali Society UAE expresses its commitment to standing by all affected Nepali brothers and sisters in their time of grief.”
Disaster relief fund
The Nepal embassy in the UAE published a QR code and details of bank accounts in Nepal through which members of the community can contribute to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Rescue Fund and Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
In a statement on Facebook, it expressed the hope that the “bereaved families will find patience, strength and courage at this difficult time.
“In view of this natural disaster and the difficult circumstances it has created, the co-operation and solidarity of non-resident Nepali associations, organised institutions, the wider Nepali community and well-wishers in the UAE are greatly needed to support the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of affected citizens.
“The embassy therefore makes a heartfelt appeal for everyone to voluntarily contribute as much as possible to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Rescue Fund and Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, established by the Government of Nepal.
“At this time of natural disaster, the embassy sincerely appeals to the entire community to stand together with the government and the people of Nepal and support the affected families.”
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on X, conveyed “its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families and victims and to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and its people over this tragedy, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery of all the injured."
“The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal over the victims of floods and landslides, which resulted in dozens of deaths, injuries, and missing people, as well as significant damage,’ the ministry said.
Houses and roads swept away
Initial reports suggested an earthquake in the area could have triggered an avalanche and caused the floods, Nepal's foreign minister, Shisir Khanal, told the country's parliament on Wednesday.
Houses and roads were swept away in Nepal, while officials in China's Tibet said they feared “major casualties”, with people missing in Gyirong county after a mudslide hit a land crossing between the neighbours.
River levels were too high for rescue helicopters to land in Nepal’s affected areas of Syapru Besi and Timure in the mountainous district of Rasuwa, which has a population of about 50,000, officials said.
Security footage captured on the Chinese side of the Nepal-Tibet border showed many people fleeing before a torrent of rock, mud and water destroyed buildings, vehicles and took many lives.
The cause of the flooding was not immediately clear, but a deadly flash flood on the same river last year was eventually traced to the draining of a glacier lake.
From its origins in Tibet, the Bhote Koshi river empties into Nepal's Trishuli river that eventually flows into India as the Gandak river.
Last year's Bhote Koshi flood killed nine people, with 24 missing, as it washed away a “friendship bridge” linking Nepal and China, disrupting trade and transport for months.
