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Islamic Relief is sending emergency aid to communities affected by the deadly flash floods in Nepal that swept away people and homes within seconds.
At least 359 people are confirmed killed so far, but many more are still missing and the death toll is still rising. At least 50,000 people are badly affected, with many families losing their homes and livelihoods. There are now fears another lake is at risk of bursting, which would cause further destruction and loss of life.
Eye witnesses describe a 30-metre (100 foot) high wall of water instantly washing away people, homes and markets and destroying critical infrastructure. The surge of floodwater was so powerful it damaged villages high in the mountains, far above the usual river level. Roads, bridges and power networks have been badly damaged or blocked by rubble, making it hard to reach survivors in remote areas.
Islamic Relief’s immediate response will provide emergency shelter and aid such as blankets and mattresses to people in the worst-hit districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot, working in full coordination with Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC).
Golam Motasim Billah, Islamic Relief’s country director in Nepal, says:
“Torrents of water swept through villages without any warning and families lost everything within just a few seconds. The floods were so powerful they even tore through a major bridge and damaged villages high up in the mountains.
“Survivors are desperately trying to trace their missing loved ones, while at the same time trying to find a safe place for their families to shelter and get food for their children. Power supplies have been badly damaged, plunging areas into darkness.
“Our prayers are with everyone affected and we are working with authorities on the ground to get aid to people as quickly as possible.
“People urgently need aid such as shelter, ready-to-eat food, safe drinking water, and hygiene kits to stop diseases spreading. As well as the immediate loss of life, people’s livelihoods have been washed away. Communities will need long term support to recover.”
The cause of the disaster has not yet been confirmed, but Nepal is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with melting glaciers causing flooding and landslides. Scientists in the region have reported that a huge chunk of glacier fell up to 7,000 feet into the river below, causing a massive wave of water to surge downstream.
As more information emerges, Islamic Relief stands ready to scale up assistance further as needed.
Islamic Relief has worked in Nepal since 2015 when it responded to the Gorkha earthquake. Last year the charity worked with local partner organisations to support over 113,000 people in Nepal, through projects providing education, safe water and helping communities adapt to climate change and more frequent disasters.