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International Desk. A scene of devastation has emerged due to the massive flood that occurred after the breaking of the glacier on the Nepal-Tibet border. China allowed foreign media to visit the affected area for the first time. On Sunday, journalists from several international media organizations including Reuters visited the Gyirong border crossing. This area was hit by a strong wave of water, mud and debris on August 26. More than 1,300 people have died and more than 5,000 people are missing due to this disaster in China and Nepal.

Pile of debris at border crossing

Journalists saw the relief and rescue operations going on at the spot. Rescue workers are searching with digging machines, shovels and underground search radar. Before the disaster, China’s five-storey Customs Building was present here.

Now there is no trace of him. The border gate, about 20 meters high, has also been buried under the debris. At present only a part of the water tower is visible nearby. The Chinese flag has been installed in place of the old border gate.

Teams engaged in identification of dead bodies

Rescue workers are preparing records of identification marks like fingerprints and tattoos to identify the bodies found in the debris. 993 personal items were also recovered from the spot. These are expected to help in identifying the missing people.

However, families of many foreign nationals are demanding more information from China. Some diplomats have also raised questions regarding DNA testing of dead bodies and use of CCTV footage.

Rubio talked to Ravi Lamichhane

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on phone with Nepal’s Rashtriya Swatantra Party chief Ravi Lamichhane. He expressed condolences to those who lost their lives in the Bhotekoshi flood.

Rubio said that America stands with the people and government of Nepal in this difficult time. Lamichhane said that the Nepal government is using available resources for relief, rescue and search of missing people.

China claimed to start from Nepal

According to China, after the glacier broke on the Nepal side on August 26, a strong wave of water, mud and debris reached the border. Due to this the Gyirong border crossing was completely destroyed.

In the video that surfaced, a black wave of debris is seen moving rapidly towards the border. After this, China started a large-scale rescue operation. Chinese officials have also emphasized on strengthening the system of monitoring and timely warning.

Important route for business and Kailash Yatra

The Gyirong border crossing is an important route for trade and movement between China’s Tibet and Nepal. After the 2015 earthquake, this route became a major connectivity route between the two countries. Many goods including electric vehicles were sent from China to Nepal through this route. The route is also important for pilgrims visiting Mount Kailash in Tibet via Nepal. China is now considering rebuilding the border crossing.

More than 3 thousand glacial lakes in Tibet

According to Chinese scientists, there are more than 3,000 glacial lakes in Tibet and surrounding areas. Of these, 187 lakes have been considered high risk. These are monitored through sensors on the ground and from a distance. Norbu Tsering, deputy head of China’s emergency rescue headquarters, has expressed the need to strengthen monitoring and early warning systems to deal with such disasters.

43 deaths, 519 people missing in China

According to Chinese officials, as of Saturday, 43 deaths were confirmed on the Chinese side. 519 people are still reported missing. These include 261 foreign citizens from 23 countries. 49 Indians are also reported among the missing. Among these are many pilgrims who had gone to visit Mount Kailash in Tibet via Nepal.