The said flood also caused a border port to be engulfed by a massive flood that descended from mountains above.
On Wednesday, August 26, tragedy struck a Magnitude 4.4 earthquake, as per Nepalese authorities, triggered an avalanche that resulted into a massive deluge of water affecting several towns such as Rasuwa and communities surrounding three rivers, namely Bhote Koshi, Trishuli, and Narayani.
However, one of the most horrific images was captured when the flood engulfed a valley town in the shared border of Nepal and China in Tibet, which saw the mudslide swallow an entire complex, including a building where tourists and trade pass through.
At present, massive operations are being conducted by Nepal and China in an effort to save survivors and retrieve the bodies of casualties, which has risen to 359, as of this writing.
For his part, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has extended the country’s deepest condolences to all those affected by the deadly flashflood.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to those who lost family, loved ones and friends. Please accept our most heartfelt prayers for strength in this difficult time,” he said in a message.
Meanwhile, as per the table provided by the Nepal Tourism Board, one Filipino national has been included in the list of missing people following Wednesday’s tragedy. But the agency did not disclose further information about the said invidual.
However, citing the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Malacañang said on Thursday morning that there are no reported Filipino casualties in the mudslide disaster.
“Ayon sa DFA, no reported Filipino casualty as of this morning (Nepal as of the morning of August 27),” said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro.
But she clarified that the coordination of the Philippine government with Nepalese authorities and the Filipino community continue to determine whether any Filipinos were affected by establishing the whereabouts and condition of compatriots in areas affected by the mudslide.
“Nakikipag-coordinate na ang pamahalaan sa Nepalese authorities and with the Filipino community to determine if there are Filipinos affected by the incident,” the Palace official also said.
Based on records from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the DFA, 18 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are currently in Nepal, but the government records also indicated that 128 Filipinos are in Nepal— most of whom are women married to Nepalese nationals.
The Philippine government also told that it will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with Nepalese authorities and the Filipino community for any developments involving Filipinos in the affected areas.
