Nepal’s hour of need

It is often said that the weather in the Himalayas and fashion in Mumbai are unpredictable. Both can change within moments. Kailash, still untouched by human hands, the ocean-like expanse of Manasarovar amid the snow, and the world's highest peak, Everest, are all part of the Himalayas. The four holy pilgrimage centres of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, collectively known as the Char Dham, are also located here. Thousands of pilgrims travel to the Himalayas every year.

A large number of Kailash-Manasarovar pilgrims travel through Nepal and Tibet. Thousands of foreign tourists also choose this route. In recent years, the number of travellers from Kerala visiting the Himalayas has increased significantly. The region also attracts a substantial number of trekkers. Hundreds of people have died in the flash floods and landslides that struck Nepal in recent days.

The disaster has caused widespread destruction in the region. Preliminary estimates put the death toll at around 300, while about 800 people are reported missing. Among those missing are 133 pilgrims who had undertaken the Kailash-Manasarovar yatra. It will be known only later how many Indians are among them and which states they are from.

The state government has taken all possible steps to ensure the safety of Malayalees. People are being evacuated from areas facing a higher risk. Several remote villages along the Tibet-Nepal border have been washed away. Hours after the disaster, the Nepal Tourism Ministry itself said there was no information about more than 400 tourists, including 350 foreigners. Besides Indians, those missing include people from Australia, Britain, Malaysia, South Africa, the United States and Portugal.

Although Nepal is often described as Devabhumi, or the land of the gods, it has frequently been turned into a disaster zone by earthquakes and flash floods. An avalanche and flash flood occurred about 20 kilometres north-east of Rasuwagadhi on the Nepal-China border. This led to a massive flow of muddy water and debris in the Lende River. It is believed that the flow may have joined the Trishuli River through Timure. Nepalese authorities said contact had been lost with many people, including more than 150 people working at various hydropower projects and customs offices, several Kailash pilgrims and people travelling to Gosaikunda in Nepal's Bagmati province. The Bhote Koshi River, which originates in Tibet, also witnessed a massive surge in water following the flash floods. The districts of Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot were severely affected by the disaster.

The Prime Minister of Nepal has informed India that the entire government machinery has been deployed in the disaster-affected areas. He also stressed that India has always extended a helping hand during times of disaster and that India's solidarity is a reflection of the friendship between the two countries. Following the flash floods in Nepal, India has taken all necessary security precautions in the bordering states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

All those who care for human life can only pray that the natural disaster that has struck the Himalayas' most beautiful pilgrimage centres does not claim more lives. Those caught in the disaster must be rescued and provided assistance without delay.