Kathmandu— Search and rescue operations continued a week after devastating flash floods swept through communities in Nepal and China’s autonomous Tibet region on August 26. The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse, has left at least 1,114 people dead in Nepal and 16 dead in Tibet, with nearly 4,000 still missing. The United Nations Development Programme estimates that the floods have left behind at least 2.2 million tonnes of debris.

Impact on Hydropower

The disaster has affected an area in Nepal home to 11 hydropower stations and one solar plant, which have ceased operations. Additionally, 15 power projects under construction with a planned capacity of 470 megawatts were also damaged. Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Lo reported that specialized equipment is being flown in to aid search and rescue efforts, particularly for about 600 workers believed to be trapped in tunnels below the hydropower stations.

Rescue Efforts

More than 270 workers have been rescued from tunnel sites. The Nepali army is drilling and digging to reach those still missing, with foreign experts from South Korea expected to join Chinese and Indian teams already assisting in the rescue efforts. Forensic experts from China and Singapore are also due to arrive to help manage and identify the dead.

Long-Term Risks

A 2020 UN-backed study identified 47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes across Nepal, India, and China. Of these, 31 were categorized as posing the highest risk of an outburst. The study warned that rising temperatures are reshaping the Himalayan landscape, increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods.

Climate Compensation Demand

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal demanded compensation from large greenhouse gas emitters, stating that Nepal’s emissions are negligible yet it is paying a heavy price for global climate change. He called on major industrial emitters such as China, the United States, and India to compensate vulnerable nations like Nepal.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.