Family of Nepal flood survivor in China expresses relief after days of anxious waiting for news.

HONG KONG — Following a harrowing series of events, the family of Lu Haitao, a Chinese national, experienced a wave of relief after he was rescued from a hydropower tunnel in Nepal. The tunnel had become his temporary prison for ten days following devastating floods that claimed the lives of over 1,300 people in the region, according to local authorities.

Lu was found at a depth of approximately 740 feet inside the tunnel, which had been compromised due to the floods that struck on August 26, likely prompted by a glacial collapse. Rescuers were able to successfully extract him and transport him by helicopter to a nearby hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition, as noted by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

In the aftermath of the flooding, nearly 4,900 individuals remain unaccounted for in this South Asian country, highlighting the extensive impact of the natural disaster. The scale of the tragedy has prompted widespread concern among families and communities both locally and abroad.

Lu, reflecting on his ordeal, recounted a moment of desperation when he climbed to the highest point in the tunnel, hoping for rescue. He described initially perceiving the sounds of emergency teams as mere figments of his imagination. These moments turned to despair when he believed he had lost all hope of being found, stating that he had ceased his shouts for help.

His sister, Lu Hairong, disclosed that she learned of his rescue prior to official announcements but found true solace only upon seeing a photograph of him in the media. Lu, who previously worked as a farmer in Henan province, ventured to Nepal for work in early 2023, marking his first experience abroad. As news of the disaster unfolded, her anxiety was compounded by the uncertainty surrounding his exact work location, which he had not disclosed to his family.

Additional reports indicate that on the Tibetan side of the border, which shares proximity to Nepal, 43 fatalities were confirmed with 519 individuals still missing, including 261 foreigners. As rescuers continue their efforts to locate those unaccounted for, heavy machinery has been deployed to navigate through the mudslides that have obscured vital search areas.

Tributes have begun to surface in the affected regions, with yellow chrysanthemums laid on the ground in memory of the victims. The ongoing search and recovery operations underscore the community’s resilience and the profound impact of this disaster that has not only claimed lives but altered countless others. The narrative surrounding Lu’s miraculous rescue amidst such tragedy serves as a beacon of hope in a time fraught with uncertainty and loss.

Media News Source.