Actor Cha In-pyo. [Herald Muse]
Actor Cha In-pyo. [Herald Muse]

Actor Cha In-pyo has called on the public to pray for Nepal after the country was struck by devastating floods.

On Thursday, Cha wrote on his Instagram that "countless people have lost their lives or are on the verge of losing them due to the disaster that has struck Nepal."

"I pray for swift rescue and recovery," he added. "It is time for all of humanity to come together for the preservation of our planet."

Nepal police said Thursday that 826 people were missing after floods swept through Bagmati Province in the country's north, according to Reuters and other outlets. The number of missing had nearly doubled in a single day from 484 on Wednesday. Authorities have recovered 165 bodies.

About 600 of the missing are foreign nationals from 28 countries, including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Italy and Ukraine. The area draws large numbers of pilgrims and tourists due to its proximity to Hindu holy sites and its reputation as a trekking destination.

Nine South Koreans working at a hydroelectric power plant construction site are also among the missing — employees of Korea South-East Power (KOEN) and Doosan Enerbility who have lost contact with their companies. A joint government rapid-response team comprising officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean National Police Agency and the National Fire Agency departed for Kathmandu on Thursday.

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said 80 bridges and 40 kilometers of roads had been damaged. Another 83 security personnel, including local police and soldiers, were also reported missing.

In China's Tibet Autonomous Region, three people were killed and 558 went missing in related landslides in Gyirong County, Shigatse. Combined with the Nepal figures, the total number of missing across both sides exceeds 1,300.

Meanwhile, debris blocking the river upstream has raised concerns about the possibility of additional flooding.


dbsdn1110@heraldcorp.com