Rescue teams in Nepal are in a race against time to reach numerous workers believed to be trapped inside hydropower tunnels following a devastating flood that claimed over 1,200 lives. The flood, caused by a glacier collapse near Nepal’s border with China, wreaked havoc in towns and valleys, leaving 1,204 confirmed dead and over 4,200 missing.

Efforts are now concentrated on the hydroelectric project tunnels where workers may have found refuge, with some tunnels equipped with air supplies. Approximately 900 missing workers are the focus of rescue operations, fueled by hope due to available food and water in the tunnels.

While the chances of finding survivors elsewhere are diminishing, rescue operations persist as teams comb through the mountainous terrain along the China-Nepal border. Specialized rescue teams from India, China, and the United States are aiding in the tunnel rescue missions.

In Tibet, China, the toll rose with at least 21 dead and 541 missing, prompting the reopening of a crucial road for rescue efforts. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities are intensifying search operations in the disaster zone, deploying equipment and resources to locate survivors.

Nepal is gradually restoring essential services like power supply and telecommunication, with a significant portion of telecom services already back online in the affected regions. Prime Minister Balendra Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to recovery and support for those impacted by the catastrophe.

As Nepal grapples with the aftermath, efforts are being made to address the mental health needs of survivors, particularly children who witnessed the devastation. International aid organizations are stepping in to provide both immediate relief and long-term support for those traumatized by the disaster.