King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima’s “thoughts” are with the people of Nepal.
The Dutch King and Queen took to the official Instagram handle of the Netherlands Royal Family on Wednesday, August 26, to release a special statement, mourning the loss of lives in the devastating Nepal flood.
“The devastating effects of the flooding in Nepal are becoming ever more apparent. Many families now find themselves mourning loved ones or anxiously waiting for more news. Our thoughts are with them, as well as with everyone involved in rescue efforts and providing assistance,” they co-penned.
Their Majesties signed off the statement, writing, “– King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.”
About Nepal flood
On Wednesday, August 26, Nepal News reported that a sudden flash flood rushed downstream into the country’s northern Rasuwa district and destroyed villages, washed away cars, collapsed houses and destroyed key bridges connecting Nepal to Tibet.
Local official Narendra Pariyar stated that “there could be heavy casualties or loss of property” as entire project sites and markets were wiped out.
As of today, Thursday, August 27, at least 162 people have lost their lives, while hundreds remain missing.
It has also been shared thay many of those missing were foreign tourists and pilgrims travellig in the popular Himalayan region.
A total of 403 tourists, including 62 Nepalis and 341 foreign nationals – including 133 Indians, 47 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 Britons, 24 Canadians, 19 Malaysians, seven Ukrainians, six each from Singapore and South Africa, and five each from New Zealand and Japan – have gone missing, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
What caused flood in Nepal?
The disaster struck without local rain warning, leaving scientists working to figure out what happened. Officials are looking into whether an earthquake, a major landslide or a burst glacial lake in Tibet triggered the surge.
Dinkar Kayastha of Nepal’s hydrology department noted that “we are still studying the matter, so the real cause is not yet known.”
