Hard to Even Take a Step... Search Struggles Amid Persistent Rain

[Anchor]

The Trishuli riverbank area, struck by the disaster, is virtually inaccessible due to piles of debris that have poured down. While paths are being cleared for rescue and search operations, even this is proving difficult due to the ongoing rain.

Let us first watch the report by correspondent Han Sang-woo, and then connect to the field.

[Reporter]

Following the lifting of additional flood warnings, work to clear paths along the Trishuli riverbank resumed this morning (August 29).

Although efforts to clear paths for rescue and search operations are ongoing, workers are facing difficulties as rain continues to fall and stop repeatedly throughout the day today.

The biggest obstacle blocking not only helicopter landings but also overland access is the washed-down soil and sediment.

[It is all mud like this. Everything.]

Mud is piled up between the collapsed buildings, making it hard to even take a single step.

All this mud must be cleared to gain entry between the buildings, but rescue and search operations are not easy.

Because priority is being given to rescuing and searching for victims isolated and buried in the upper reaches of the river, operations are relatively slow in the downstream areas.

[Suheb Anwar / On-site Recovery Manager: Many people are still trapped on the other side of the valley over there. So the military is working on that. After that, work will begin (from this side).]

Residents who narrowly survived the disaster have now begun a fight for survival.

They pick their way through piles of debris and enter houses that are now mere shells to salvage whatever household goods they can.

From a young grandson to a grandmother, family members carry household items to a relative's house on a nearby hill.

[Bisnu Maedungel: Our only home was completely washed away. Completely washed away.]

Fears of additional floods are also growing.

As rain has continued for days, the volume of water in the river is increasing and the currents are growing faster.

Amid continuous rain and news that glacier remnants and debris could collapse once again to trigger another flood, nearby residents remain gripped by anxiety.

(Video by: Joo Yong-jin, Kim Han-gyeol | Video Editing by: Jeon Min-gyu)

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[Anchor]

Now let us connect to correspondent Han Sang-woo, who is reporting from the scene of the disaster in Nepal.

Correspondent Han, the place you are standing right now is the disaster site, correct?

[Reporter]

Yes, this is the Trishuli riverbank, a flood-affected area.

With soil and sediment still choking the river surroundings and steep cliffs carved out where massive currents swept through, even approaching the affected area looks difficult.

Amidst all this, as the rain continues, the river water is also gradually rising.

[Anchor]

The number of missing persons has reportedly reached nearly 3,000 so far, and missing person reports continue to come in?

[Reporter]

Yes, I visited the military base receiving missing person reports again today.

More people than yesterday flocked in, pleading for their families to be found.

However, due to today's weather conditions, rescue helicopters took off fewer times than yesterday, and it was hard to spot victims being successfully rescued and transported.

People also crowded around to check the list of injured individuals transferred to hospitals, and the names of South Koreans were also found on the list of injured foreign nationals.

[Anchor]

The suffering of the survivors must be immense. Based on your reporting from the field, how is the situation?

[Reporter]

Yes, dozens of young students attending school in the flood zone have been unable to return to their homes in the village across for four days because roads were cut off.

[Madhusudan Nepal / School Teacher: The roads are blocked by the floods, so the students cannot go home. That is why we came to ask if they could be transported by helicopter.]

The Nepalese government stated that some roads have been temporarily restored to accelerate rescue and relief efforts, but it is still difficult to feel the impact on the ground.

As time goes on, the scale of casualties and property damage is increasing, and the Nepalese government has estimated that 7 trillion won, equivalent to 10 percent of its economic size, will be needed for recovery costs.

(Video by: Joo Yong-jin, Kim Han-gyeol | Video Editing by: Yoon Tae-ho)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.