Nepal Army Intensifies Rescue Efforts Amidst Mudslide Challenges

The Nepal Army is pushing forward with intensified search and rescue missions in the wake of devastating flash floods that have ravaged the Himalayan region. However, operations face significant challenges, primarily from the thick mud deposited by the floodwaters. Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet described the mud as the "most difficult part," severely complicating helicopter landings and takeoffs in crucial areas like Temure, Syabrubesi, and Mailung.

Despite these obstacles, at least 14 rescue helicopters are actively engaged in the region. The army is prioritizing the evacuation of stranded individuals, many of whom have been cut off from the outside world. A military training camp in Battar Bazar is serving as a key hub for airlifting rescued persons to safety. In Nepal, the army typically spearheads disaster response and rescue operations.

Further complicating efforts are tunnels in the mountainous terrain where people are trapped. As of Friday morning, only four individuals had been rescued from these tunnels, with authorities believing numerous others are still inside. Dramatic footage showed soldiers carrying two mud-covered workers from a tunnel at a hydroelectric power plant to a waiting helicopter.

The duration of these rescue operations remains uncertain. The disaster management authority reported that over 4,400 people had been rescued by Friday evening. However, the number of missing persons has climbed to 1,924, a figure that includes 517 foreign nationals. On the Chinese side in Tibet, 558 people are reported missing.

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The most difficult part is the deposited mud as a result of the flood wave. It is very difficult to land or take off helicopters in the affected areas.