Islamic Relief Sends Aid After Nepal Flash Floods

Islamic Relief is sending emergency shelter, blankets and mattresses to flood survivors in Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. At least 359 people have been confirmed killed, while more remain missing and at least 50,000 people have been badly affected. Flash floods swept away homes, markets and infrastructure, leaving roads, bridges and power networks damaged or blocked. The charity is coordinating its response with Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and District Disaster Management Committee.

Flood Damage Limits Access

Witnesses reported a 30-meter wall of water that damaged villages high in the mountains, beyond usual river levels. The damage and rubble are making it hard to reach survivors in remote areas.

Golam Motasim Billah, Islamic Relief’s country director in Nepal, said:

“Torrents of water swept through villages without any warning and families lost everything within just a few seconds. The floods were so powerful they even tore through a major bridge and damaged villages high up in the mountains.”

Emergency Needs Identified

Billah said survivors are desperately trying to trace missing loved ones while trying to find a safe place for their families to shelter and get food for their children.

Golam Motasim Billah, Islamic Relief’s country director in Nepal, said:

“People urgently need aid such as shelter, ready-to-eat food, safe drinking water, and hygiene kits to stop diseases spreading. As well as the immediate loss of life, people’s livelihoods have been washed away. Communities will need long term support to recover.”

Support May Expand

The cause of the disaster has not been confirmed. Scientists in the region reported that a large glacier section fell as far as 7,000 feet into the river below, sending a wave downstream. Islamic Relief said it stands ready to expand assistance as more information emerges.

Islamic Relief has worked in Nepal since responding to the 2015 Gorkha earthquake. Last year, it supported more than 113,000 people in Nepal through education, safe water and climate adaptation projects with local partner organizations.