One of three Kazakhstan nationals who were believed missing after a natural disaster in Nepal and Tibet has been found in Kazakhstan. The woman cancelled her trip to the disaster area and was not in the flood zone. The whereabouts of the other two Kazakh women have not yet been established.
WHAT IS KNOWN
Official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Zhanbolat Usenov said that the woman who had previously been believed missing cancelled her trip to the disaster zone. She is currently in Kazakhstan.
Three Kazakh tourists had previously been listed as missing: two in Nepal and one in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE FATE OF TWO KAZAKH WOMEN
The whereabouts of the other two Kazakhstan nationals is still unknown. Their relatives have provided biological samples for DNA analysis in order to identify the bodies found, if necessary.
Kazakh diplomats are maintaining contact with the families of the missing and providing them with assistance.
HOW MANY PEOPLE DIED AS A RESULT OF THE FLOODING
According to Reuters, at least 1,455 people died as a result of the devastating flooding. A further 5,285 people are still listed as missing. Rescuers managed to evacuate 13,795 people.
The flooding destroyed 12 hydropower facilities, and also damaged or destroyed roads, bridges, agricultural land and settlements.
The authorities estimate the funding needed for priority reconstruction and assistance to thousands of people left homeless at almost $5 billion. These funds are needed to deal with the aftermath of the catastrophe and to rebuild the affected areas.
On 5 October, the Nepalese authorities officially completed the search and rescue operation and moved on to reconstruction work. According to the head of the National Emergency Centre, Fanindra Paudel, the authorities are working on legal procedures that will allow those missing to be declared dead and will give their relatives the opportunity to claim insurance payouts and resolve other legal and banking matters.
At the same time, remains, property and valuables found during reconstruction work will continue to be recovered. Emergency rescue operations will also continue where necessary.
