Authorities are warning of a second flood after Wednesday's devastating deluge on the Nepal-China border, which left more than 1,500 people missing, many presumed dead.
Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said a lake at the flood site was rising and at risk of bursting, raising the prospect of another deadly disaster.
China's Minister of Water Resources said the lake had formed inside Nepal and was already overflowing. A further 3 million cubic meters could flow in over three days, the ministry said, raising the risk of a breach during that window to a high level. Rain is forecast across the coming days.
Catholic relief agencies immediately responded to the unfolding disaster, linking their efforts to the urgent needs created by the floods. Caritas Australia launched an urgent flood appeal, confirming teams are on the ground assessing the scale of the disaster and the needs it has created.
The needs will most likely include emergency shelter, clean water and sanitation, food, and immediate and long-term recovery, the aid agency noted.
The apostolic administrator of Nepal told Fides news agency on Thursday this was "the worst disaster in the country's history."
"It was terrible. A flood coming from the mountains, and directed violently towards the valley, overwhelmed everything: people, homes, bridges, structures. Villages, markets, and roads were swept away. It is a serious wound for the nation," Father Silas Krishna Bogati said.
"We have about 25 Catholic families in the disaster area; they appear to be safe, but we are very worried about them," he said. "We entrust them to God, we pray for their safety, and we will do everything we can to help them."
Bogati noted that Nepalese, as well as foreigners and tourists, were in the area at the time of the disaster.
At least 392 people have been killed, 389 of them in Nepal and three in Tibet, according to Nepali authorities and Chinese state media. More than 900 remain unaccounted for in Nepal and more than 550 in Tibet; 466 people have been rescued.
Pope Leo sent his condolences and offered prayers for the victims on Thursday, expressing solidarity with those affected by the floods. In an Aug. 27 telegram sent on behalf of Leo, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the pope was "saddened to learn of the loss of life and devastation" caused by the floods.
"Commending the souls of the deceased to the clemency of the Almighty, His Holiness sends heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved, with the assurance of his spiritual closeness to those affected by this tragedy," the telegram said.
