[Anchor]

The area along the Trishuli River, struck by disaster, is nearly inaccessible due to massive piles of debris. While paths are being cleared for rescue and search operations, even this is proving difficult due to the continuous rain.

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

[Reporter]

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

Although efforts to clear paths for rescue and search operations are continuing, workers are facing difficulties as rain has been repeatedly falling and stopping throughout the day today.

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

[Local Resident: It's all mud here. All of it.]

With thick layers of mud piled up between collapsed buildings, it is a struggle even to take a step.

All this mud must be cleared to gain entry between the buildings, making rescue and search operations difficult.

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

[Suheb Anword / 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. Work (here) will begin after that.]

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

Wading through piles of debris, they enter homes reduced to mere frames to salvage whatever belongings they can.

From young grandchildren to grandmothers, family members are moving household items to a relative's house on a nearby hill.

[Bisnu Maedungel: Our only home has been completely washed away. Everything was 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 stronger.

Amid the persistent rain, news that glacier remnants and debris could collapse once again to trigger another flood has left nearby residents trembling with anxiety.

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

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[Anchor]

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

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

[Reporter]

Yes, this is the Trishuli River area, which has been hit hard by floods.

Debris still fills the surroundings of the river, and steep cliffs have formed where a massive torrent of water swept through, making it difficult even to approach the affected areas.

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

[Anchor]

The number of missing persons has reportedly reached nearly 3,000 so far, and reports of missing people are continuing to come in, is that correct?

[Reporter]

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

Even more people than yesterday had gathered, pleading for help to find their family members.

However, due to today's weather conditions, rescue helicopters made fewer takeoff runs than yesterday, and it was hard to see successful rescues and transport of victims.

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

[Anchor]

The suffering of the survivors must be immense. How is the situation based on your reporting from the field?

[Reporter]

Yes, dozens of young students who attended a school in the flood-affected area have been unable to return to their village homes across the river for four days because their paths were cut off.

[Madhu Sudan Nepal / School Teacher: The students cannot go home because the roads are blocked by the flood. So we came to ask if they can be transported by helicopter.]

The Nepalese government stated that some roads have been temporarily restored and that rescue and relief efforts are being accelerated, but it is still not easy to feel the impact on the ground.

As time goes on, the scale of human and property damage is increasing, and the Nepalese government has estimated that recovery costs amounting to 7 trillion won, which is about 10 percent of its economic size, will be required.

(Camera: Joo Yong-jin, Kim Han-gyeol | Video Editing: Yoon Tae-ho)