Aerial footage has captured the devastating destruction caused by flash floods and landslides along the Nepal-China border, showing the once-busy Gyirong land port in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region reduced to a landscape of mud and debris.
Footage filmed from a Chinese rescue helicopter shows a stark contrast between the area before and after the disaster. Previously surrounded by green mountains, rivers, roads, border checkpoints and multi-storey buildings, the Gyirong land port is now largely buried under mud and rubble.
The disaster has caused widespread destruction across areas along the Nepal-Tibet border. More than 390 people have reportedly been killed, while over 1,300 remain missing.
Nepalese authorities have reported that at least 826 people are missing in the country. In Tibet, at least three people have died and 558 others are reported missing.
Dozens of bridges in Nepal have been destroyed, while around 40 kilometres of roads have been damaged, making rescue operations in remote areas extremely difficult.
Nepal Army spokesperson Brigadier General Raja Ram Basnet said the army had rescued more than 100 people by helicopter. People stranded at various facilities of the Trishuli hydropower project were also evacuated to safety.
Many injured people have been transported to Kathmandu for treatment.
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, a massive landslide near the Gyirong land port on Wednesday left more than 1.5 metres of mud covering parts of the surrounding area.
All roads leading to the port have been damaged. Continued rainfall has also raised fears of further landslides and flash floods in the region.
Rescue operations are continuing across large areas along the Nepal-Tibet border. However, damaged roads and bridges, along with adverse weather conditions, are posing major obstacles to emergency efforts.
COMMENTS