The State Department said Friday that five Americans have been safely evacuated from Nepal after devastating floods swept through the region near the Chinese border, killing hundreds and leaving thousands missing.
About 90 Americans remain unaccounted for, according to the State Department. Officials said they are aware of no U.S. citizen deaths.
“As of 6 a.m. this morning, there are currently approximately 90 Americans that are unaccounted for,” a State Department spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, said on CNN News Central. “We are aware of five Americans that have been safely evacuated. That number is up from yesterday. And at this time, we are aware of no U.S. citizen deaths.”
“Of course, this catastrophe is beyond words,” Pigott added. “We are seeing those glimmers of hope in terms of the five Americans that have been safely evacuated. We are here to help every single American that we can. That is our dedication. That is our highest priority. That is our commitment.”
The floods sent torrents of water through communities on Wednesday, sweeping away people, vehicles, and buildings. The disaster struck an area near some of the world’s highest mountains and is believed to have been fueled by melting glaciers and glacial activity.
Nepal’s missing-person tally roughly doubled to about 1,900 after nearly 900 people working at hydropower projects were reported missing, according to local officials. Rescue efforts have been complicated by concerns over additional flooding.
Dozens of bridges were destroyed, and more than 25 miles of roads were damaged, while about 1,200 people were displaced from nearby villages.
David Fisher, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Nepal delegation, said securing clean water is an immediate priority because flooding can increase the risk of waterborne disease.
“We can’t just constantly truck in water. It’s expensive and difficult. But it’s critical that people have safe water,” Fisher told CNN. “Floods like this often bring a waterborne disease. And that’s the last thing these people need.”
Dozens dead after flooding in Nepal with 47 Americans missing
Fisher said relief efforts were briefly halted Friday after a secondary flood prompted warnings for people in low-lying areas to evacuate.
“It’s really added to the trauma,” he said. “When will people feel safe, and when can they start — restart their lives? And it’s up to us now to do whatever we can to move that along.”