Road Opened After a Week, But Mud Has Hardened Over 1 Meter Deep

[Anchor]

The border checkpoint between China and Nepal was swept away without a trace, along with buildings and surrounding facilities, due to the recent massive flood. Despite the immense damage, search operations faced difficulties because land routes were inaccessible. However, with roads restored after a week, China has deployed a large-scale rescue force.

Choi Go-un reports from Beijing.

[Reporter]

On the morning of August 26, a massive mud tsunami struck the border checkpoint between China and Nepal.

In an instant, the 5-story checkpoint building and nearby facilities, including a nearby parking lot, were swept away and vanished in the massive flood.

Today (September 2), exactly a week later, National Highway 216—the sole overland route leading to this border checkpoint—was restored following overnight work amidst adverse weather.

[China's State-Run CCTV Reporter: It is 0:30 AM on September 2. We are at the checkpoint area that suffered heavy damage, and rain is falling at the site.]

Although river erosion was severe due to the powerful debris flow rushing down the V-shaped gorge, embankments were built with stones and the washed-out sections were filled.

[Emergency Rescue Headquarters Deputy Commander: We must open this zone. We are doing our utmost by deploying over 700 personnel and more than 300 pieces of equipment.]

At the site, where almost everything was swept away by the mudflow and buried under mounds of earth, rescue teams are searching for missing persons using advanced life-detection equipment.

However, it is reported that the depth of the mud and earth is at least 1 meter or more, with many areas having hardened like concrete, making it difficult even for detection equipment signals to penetrate.

Since the disaster, China has focused on rescue and relief rather than information regarding the massive flood damage. In response to criticisms that it might be downplaying the truth of the disaster, Beijing countered that now is the time to focus on relief.

[Guo Jiakun / Spokesperson, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: We will continue to release the latest information on the disaster situation and rescue operations. We are making every effort to search for missing persons.]

The Chinese government also emphasized that it has dispatched medical teams to Tibet and is sending relief supplies to Nepal.

(Video Editing: Jung Sunghoon)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.