The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that a Dutch woman living in Nepal, who was feared missing after recent monsoon floods, has been located safe and sound. The 34-year-old expatriate, based in the Sindhupalchok district northeast of Kathmandu, went unaccounted for when torrential rains unleashed landslides and flash floods across the region.
Discovery and immediate relief
After three harrowing days without word of her whereabouts, local rescue teams spotted the woman sheltering in the attic of her flood-damaged home. Surrounded by debris and cut off from roads washed away by the deluge, she had survived on stored grains and boiled water. Helicopter crews airlifted food, water and medical supplies before evacuating her to a field hospital where she was treated for dehydration and mild hypothermia.
Coordinated rescue efforts
- Nepalese Army and private volunteer groups mobilized more than 200 personnel, deploying boats and helicopters to reach stranded communities.
- International NGOs provided tents, blankets and emergency rations to over 5,000 displaced residents.
- The Dutch embassy in New Delhi liaised with Kathmandu officials to ensure swift consular assistance and medical care.
Wider impact
- At least 120 people have lost their lives and dozens remain unaccounted for following days of relentless rains.
- Landslides have severed key highways, isolating mountain villages and hampering relief convoys.
- Local authorities have declared a state of emergency in four districts and appealed for international aid to bolster search-and-rescue operations.
Authorities warn that further downpours are forecast over the next 48 hours, raising the risk of additional floods and landslides. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges all Dutch nationals in Nepal to register with the embassy and follow local advisories to stay safe.
