Nepal flood survivors search hospitals for missing loved ones

The aftermath of the devastating Bhotekoshi River flood has plunged families into a desperate search for missing loved ones, with hospitals in Kathmandu becoming centers of anxious waiting and profound grief. The sound of an approaching ambulance siren triggers a surge of hope and dread as crowds gather, eyes fixed on the stretchers, searching for familiar faces among the injured.

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He had gone to get clothes. He told me he would be back soon. His phone has not connected since yesterday morning.

At Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, the usual hospital bustle has been replaced by a darker scene. Relatives of those who disappeared after Wednesday's flood wander the grounds, scanning lists of injured individuals and showing photographs to police, seeking any news. Some weep openly, while others appear too stunned to react. Bijula Karki, who traveled from Dolakha, has repeatedly checked the injured list for her 24-year-old son, who went out for clothes and has been unreachable since the flood. Her tears have been constant since hearing the news.

By Thursday evening, over 1,000 people had registered at the teaching hospital's police desk as relatives of flood victims. The search extends beyond a single hospital, with families moving between various medical facilities. Goma Thapa, from Sindhupalchok district, has been visiting hospitals since early morning in search of her husband, who called her on his way back from customs before losing contact. His name was not on the injured list, prompting her to continue her search across multiple hospitals.

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Leave his name and number. If he comes here, we will let you know.

In some tragic cases, entire families have vanished. Ganesh Lama, from Rasuwa, spent the day at the teaching hospital awaiting news of more than a dozen relatives, including sisters, nephews, nieces, and a brother-in-law. The flood has not only separated individuals but has also torn apart the fabric of entire family units, leaving behind a landscape of uncertainty and profound loss.

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He only went there about 10 or 12 days ago. At 8 in the morning yesterday, he called and said he was leaving customs and would be coming back. After that, there has been no contact.