WCC expresses profound sorrow in wake of catastrophic flood on Nepal-Tibet border

WCC expresses profound sorrow in wake of catastrophic flood on Nepal-Tibet border

msc

Fri, 08/28/2026 - 16:04

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed profound sorrow over the catastrophic flash flood that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on 26 August.

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Photo: DCA/ACT Alliance

“ We have followed the reports with shock and sadness: several hundred people have died, with the toll still rising, and close to a thousand more - residents, security personnel, hydropower and border workers, and hundreds of foreign pilgrims and travellers from many nations - remain missing or unaccounted for,” wrote Pillay in a pastoral letter sent to the Christian Conference of Asia. “ Many more have been injured, displaced, or have lost their homes, land, and livelihoods.”

Whole villages, bridges, roads, and places of pilgrimage have been swept away in a matter of minutes.

“ Our hearts are heavy, and we hold this tragedy before God in lament,” wrote Pillay. “ We grieve with you.”

Many families are still waiting for news of the missing: a parent, a child, a pilgrim son or daughter,…