Nepal-Tibet Flood: Nepalis Reached Kerung Are ‘Safe,’ Exact Details of Missing Nepalis in Border Area Unconfirmed
Image source, Reuters
The Nepali Consul General in Lhasa has stated that the Chinese authorities estimate that more than 100 Nepalis are missing near the Rasuwagadhi border area.
Consul General Laxmi Niraula confirmed that approximately 200 Nepalis who have arrived in Kerung are in contact and safe.
However, the Nepali Consulate General in Lhasa also noted that the exact figures of Nepalis who reached the border have yet to be officially verified by the Chinese authorities.
The Nepali Embassy in Beijing has issued contact numbers to assist Nepalis stranded in Tibet in returning home. It has instructed those stranded to reach out to the Nepali Consulate General in Lhasa or the Embassy in Beijing.
“The flood swept away all infrastructure at the border point. As a result, we currently lack an updated list of who was present at the border,” Consul General Niraula quoted from the Chinese side.
Searching for Details of Nepalis
Image source, Reuters
According to diplomats in Lhasa, efforts are underway with Chinese officials to update the list of individuals present at the border.
They also report that Nepal is seeking details of Nepalis who were at the border.
“All Nepalis who have crossed the border and reached Kerung are safe,” said Niraula.
Niraula stated that the Consulate General is coordinating with tour operators in Nepal to account for Nepalis and foreign tourists traveling toward the border.
“Along with destroyed infrastructure, both Nepalese and Chinese citizens may have been swept away by the flood. The Chinese side has initially reported about 100 missing Chinese citizens, and a similar number of Nepalis may also be missing,” Niraula said.
She added that teams have already been deployed from Beijing and Lhasa to the border area.
“Immediately following yesterday’s incident, we have been in contact with the Chinese side and initiated efforts to rescue and relocate Nepalis in China to safe places,” Niraula confirmed.
Diplomats report that Nepalis in Kerung are either on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage or in transit on their way to or from the journey.
“The Kailash pilgrimage groups have departed from there. A group that arrived in Kerung last night has reached Kailash Mansarovar today and remains in contact with us,” she said.
Niraula also revealed plans to fly the first group of Nepalis stranded in Kerung back to Kathmandu this coming Friday via a flight from Lhasa.
She added that some Nepalis are being facilitated to return home via the Tatopani border through road transport.
“We have already requested local authorities for assistance to use the Tatopani border for return,” she stated.
Image source, BBC/AshokDahal/File
Due to landslides at Liping, the Tatopani border has been closed for over one and a half months; however, Nepal has requested China to allow pilgrims and travelers through the border, Niraula said.
“Although cargo transport is restricted, the pilgrims can be permitted to return through that route,” she confirmed.
The Consulate General explained that the Nepalis in Kerung include pilgrims on the Kailash Mansarovar journey, business travelers, and others with short-term permits for shopping.
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