Flood devastation: Nepal seeks compensation from US, China, India

Kathmandu: Nepal has sought compensation from major greenhouse gas-emitting countries, including India, for the devastating flash floods which claimed thousands of lives. Foreign Affairs Minister of Nepal Shisir Khanal said, in an interview, that his country is the victim of the effects of the environmental pollution caused by other countries. As per Khanal, Nepal is eligible to receive compensation from nations such as the US, China and India, which are the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters.

“Nepal will shift from a position of ‘accepting aid’ to that of claiming ‘justice and compensation’ for the losses it suffered in the natural disaster,” he said.

In an address to the country’s parliament, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah also said that the global community has a responsibility to manage and reduce the impact of climate change. These statements indicate that Nepal is attempting to turn climate change and environmental disasters into a diplomatic issue.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the flash floods crossed 1,200 on Wednesday. The police said that 4,858 persons are still missing and 6,541 persons have been rescued so far.

Officials of the Nepal Electricity Authority are also hopeful that 46 workers trapped in a tunnel of the Rasuwagadhi hydroelectric project for a week could be safe, as they have access to food and water. Rescue efforts for the workers are being carried out by the Nepal Army along with technical experts from other countries, including India and China. Entry to the tunnel is a strenuous task, said officials.

Nepal has deployed over 7,000 police personnel for search operations and distribution of aid.

Key role for chopper pilots
Helicopter pilots are playing a crucial role in the rescue operations in Nepal. Around 20 helicopters, including those belonging to the Armed Forces and private firms, are constantly airborne to save lives. These choppers are flown without rest by pilots, including Captain Priya Adhikari, Nepal’s first helicopter pilot.

Priya, who completed her pilot training in the Philippines, became a chopper pilot for a private company in 2017. “I’ve done over 100 sorties for the flood rescue mission during the last seven days. The scenes of the disaster were heartbreaking,” she said.

Currently, helicopters are the only mode of transportation to reach many areas in Nepal, where last Wednesday’s flash floods destroyed numerous roads and bridges. The choppers saved a large number of people who had sought refuge on top of buildings and on higher ground.

The helicopters are carrying out the rescue missions from the Army camps at Nuwakot and Dkunche in Rasuwa. On multiple occasions, the choppers engage in risky landings on makeshift helipads built with logs and wooden planks as the ground is unstable. Several people have been rescued by the choppers flying at a low altitude above the raging river flowing between the mountains. Many of these rescue missions take place during heavy rain. Helicopters also help the authorities to take rescue workers and essential items to inaccessible places.

Rivers in spate
Water levels have increased dangerously in rivers such as Sunkosi, Budhigandaki and Mahakali following heavy rains, forcing the Disaster Management authorities to warn people living on their banks to exercise extreme caution or shift to safe areas. The authorities also cautioned the people that heavy rains are likely in Bagmati, Gandaki and Kosi areas in the coming days. The incessant rains have also affected rescue operations.

Meanwhile, officials of NORKA-ROOTS said that 44 among the 52 people who registered with its helpdesk have returned to India.

Drone missions
Drones have also been deployed for various missions in Nepal, including the supply of essentials to places where floods destroyed roads and bridges. Seven bodies were shifted from certain inaccessible regions in Nuwakot by drones. Rescue workers also enabled communication with stranded people and distributed 1.5 tonnes of food and medicines utilising AI-powered drones.

A rescue worker from Kanhangad
Dr Unni Krishnan, hailing from Kanhangad in Kerala, is part of the rescue efforts in Nepal. He is the global humanitarian director of Plan International, an international voluntary organisation focusing on providing support to children, particularly girls. “We distribute sanitary napkins, clothes and medicines. Victims of such disasters would require different kinds of assistance. Some may need mental support also. Our goal is to ensure such facilities,” said Unni.

DNA samples of Kollam native
The family of Sunanda Manirajan, a UK resident having roots in Kollam who was reported missing in Nepal, has supplied the DNA samples of her daughters Dr Meera and Dr Sumi. The family has also sought the help of the Central Government to trace Sunanda.

Flood threat in Bihar
Meanwhile, the water level in many rivers flowing through Bihar, including the Ganga, Gandak, Sone, Kosi and Punpun, has increased significantly. The rivers also overflowed at many places following heavy rains. Bhadra Ghat, Mahavir Ghat and Gandhi Ghat on the banks of the Ganga in Patna have been inundated. Water levels crossed the danger mark at Maner and Digha. In Bhagalpur also, the Ganga breached the banks, submerging low-lying areas.

The authorities issued an alert after lifting the shutters of the Valmiki Nagar Dam on the Gandak River. The Birpur Dam on the Kosi River and Indrapuri Dam on the Sone River have also been opened.

In another warning, the Bihar Government asked people not to consume unfamiliar varieties of fish in the floodwaters flowing down to the state from Nepal. The alert has been issued after several people who had eaten such fish complained of severe stomach ache, vomiting and breathlessness.