Kathmandu— A massive flash flood struck parts of Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, devastating communities along the Bhotekoshi River in the northern Himalayan region. The surge of water, ice, and mud caused widespread damage to towns like Timure, Rasuwagadhi, and Syabrubesi, washing away homes, infrastructure, and vehicles. As of Friday, nearly 500 bodies have been recovered, with over 1,000 people still missing, prompting a desperate search effort by families and authorities alike.

Desperate Searches in Kathmandu

At Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, anxious family members scan lists of the injured, deceased, and those released from care. Loknath Chaulagain is searching for his 23-year-old nephew, Sudarshan, a bus conductor who was last known to be at a checkpoint in Timure when the flood hit. Despite repeated attempts to reach him, Sudarshan’s phone has remained unreachable, leaving his family clinging to hope while scouring hospitals for any sign of him. Similar scenes are unfolding across Kathmandu as thousands grapple with the agonizing uncertainty of not knowing the fate of their loved ones.

Widespread Devastation Along the River

The floodwaters caused maximum damage in Rasuwa region, near the Tibetan border checkpoints, and then surged downstream, impacting Trishuli and Nuwakot regions. The usually bustling Trishuli market is now covered in mud and debris, with residents – including many Indian nationals who have long called the area home – pleading for assistance to retrieve belongings from their destroyed homes. Helicopters have been continuously deployed to rescue those trapped or stranded, transporting the injured to medical facilities in Kathmandu.

Hopes Dim as Identification Efforts Begin

Beyond searching hospitals, families are also turning to the mortuary where photographs of recovered bodies are displayed. The grim task of identification is compounded by the fact that many bodies have been dismembered or sustained severe injuries. Lal Kumari is desperately seeking her husband, Arjun Shreshtha, a tourist van driver who was swept away in Rasuwa district. “I am praying hard,” she told Al Jazeera. “Every time our phones ring, we hope there will be some good news… We have not slept at all in the last three days.” Sohan, searching for his father Gyan Bahadur Rana Magar, a guide to Indian tourists, expressed exhaustion but unwavering hope: “How can we let go of hope?”

Rising Toll and Ongoing Relief Efforts

The death toll continues to rise as rescue teams gain access to previously unreachable areas. The full extent of the devastation remains unclear two days after the initial flood, with authorities struggling to account for all those missing. Rescued individuals with minor injuries are receiving treatment at army camp helipads, while more serious cases are being airlifted to Kathmandu’s larger hospitals.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing as families continue their desperate search for loved ones, hoping against hope for a miracle amidst the widespread devastation.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.