India Sends Aid, China Steps Up Rescue at Tibet Border: How Nepal’s Neighbours Handling Crisis
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Nepal floods kill hundreds and impact Tibet, prompting China to mobilise rescue teams as India issues advisory for stranded nationals.
By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, August 27: Nepal flash floods have wreaked havoc inside the nation, while also affecting its borders with neighbouring countries: Tibet, China and India severely. While India remains vigilant and sends help to tackle the situation, Chinese Premier Li Qiang also visited Gyirong Township near the Nepal border, as the massive floods also affected people in the region. The flood have caused heavy casualties.
The disaster struck Gyirong Township in China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Wednesday morning, sweeping through villages and towns along the China-Nepal border. At least three people have died in Tibet, while 270 deaths have been reported in Nepal. Hundreds more remain missing.
Tibet: Li Qiang Visits Disaster-Hit Area
Li Qiang led a team of senior officials from relevant departments to Gyirong Township to oversee rescue and relief operations and meet people affected by the disaster, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
A directing group from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theatre Command was also sent to the affected area on Thursday to coordinate rescue operations in Gyirong County.
The Western Theatre Command is responsible for China's military operations along the India-China border in Tibet.
The PLA command has mobilised rescue teams to help clear roads, assess damage, conduct search and rescue operations and relocate affected residents.
The rescue operation will bring together PLA and Armed Police Force units under a unified command. Aviation, medical, transport and engineering teams have also been placed on standby for operations as required.
China: Foreign Nationals Among Those Missing
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said preliminary information from local authorities indicated that 260 foreign nationals were missing in the affected area.
He said the information was still being verified and that nearly 100 Chinese nationals were also
reported missing on the Nepalese side of the border.
The Chinese Embassy in Nepal is coordinating with Nepalese authorities to verify the information.
Lin said China was maintaining close communication with Nepal and working with its authorities on search and rescue operations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered an all-out search and rescue operation on Wednesday following the disaster.
Xinhua reported that a PLA directing group was transported to the affected area aboard a Y-20 military transport aircraft to organise and support disaster relief operations.
Nepal: 270 Deaths Reported, Hundreds Missing
The flash flood also devastated areas on the Nepalese side of the border, with 270 deaths reported so far.
The flooding swept through settlements near the China-Nepal border, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds of people unaccounted for.
Chinese authorities said nearly 100 Chinese nationals were among those reported missing on the Nepalese side. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal is working with Nepalese authorities to verify their status.
Search and rescue operations are continuing as authorities assess the scale of the damage and trace those still missing.
India: Embassy Issues Advisory for Stranded Nationals
The Indian Embassy in China issued an advisory on Wednesday for Indians stranded in areas affected by the flash floods.
The embassy provided contact points for Indians caught in the disaster and urged those affected to seek assistance through the designated channels.
The advisory comes amid reports of hundreds of foreign nationals missing in the wider border region, although Chinese authorities said details regarding the identities and nationalities of those missing were still being verified.
(With PTI Inputs)
