Disaster has struck northern Nepal near the border with China, where severe flash floods have killed at least 547 people, injured over 1,400, and left more than 900 missing. The catastrophic flooding, triggered by the overflowing Bhotekoshi River and heightened by risks from lakes on the Tibetan side, has destroyed vital infrastructure and displaced thousands of residents across northern settlements.
Sister Cecilia Durga Shrestha, Executive Director of Caritas Nepal and a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, described the volatile reality on the ground in an interview with Vatican News. Leading a network of over 155 staff, volunteers, and local partners, Sister Shrestha explained that relief operations are working around the clock in close coordination with government authorities. However, collapsed bridges and destroyed roads have severely hampered access, forcing teams to navigate treacherous terrain to reach affected communities.
Despite the ongoing threat of secondary flooding and difficult access, Caritas Nepal has successfully deployed ground teams to accessible zones to deliver essential supplies. Sister Shrestha highlighted that aid efforts are actively expanding wherever pathways open, including securing access to remote shelters—such as a local school currently housing 435 displaced individuals—to ensure immediate support reaches those most in need.