New Zealand officials warn it will take time to obtain information about five New Zealanders believed missing after flash floods caused widespread destruction along the Nepal-Tibet border.
Around 390 people are confirmed dead after a torrent of water, mud and rock came thundering down the mountainous region yesterday.
Ploughing through entire villages, the floods toppled buildings, submerging people and their homes under thick sludge. Climate experts believe an avalanche from a glacier collapse likely sent the debris flowing downstream.
More than 1400 are missing.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said officials were aware of five New Zealanders believed to be in the impacted area. Their whereabouts are "yet to be established". It's believed they were in the area on a pilgrimage.
"Consular officials are providing support to the families of those individuals," they said.
The spokesperson said official information was still being sought from authorities on the ground.
"The widespread and significant destruction is likely to mean verified information will take some time to emerge."
New Zealand consular staff were in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, working with authorities to "urgently gather further information and support affected families".
The 12 New Zealanders registered as being in Nepal on SafeTravel were "all safe".
MFAT urged anyone with concerns about loved ones in the region to contact its consular line.
As the monumental recovery effort begins, New Zealand has pledged $2 million in humanitarian assistance for Nepal. This money will be used to support the Nepal Red Cross Society in delivering shelter, water, and sanitation, and in restoring family links.
"Funding will also be made available to other international humanitarian partners with the capacity to provide essential relief and early recovery assistance.
"New Zealand officials are working closely with authorities and partners on the ground as they assess humanitarian impact and needs, and while they consider any requests for assistance."
Nepali community in NZ 'shocked'
Nepalis living in New Zealand say it is "extremely difficult" seeing the level of destruction left behind. (Source: Breakfast)
Roshan Khadka, president of the New Zealand Nepal Society, said the community was "very shocked" by the disaster.
"It was a flash flood, and there was no warning, so it was a shock for the whole country and all the Nepalis living outside the country as well," he said.
He knew some of those among the missing.
"I studied at Kathmandu University, and a lot of graduates from Kathmandu University work in a hydropower project near that region, and I know that some of them are still missing there."
Society secretary Actor Rai said the floods were a "shock for all of us".
"The worst thing is we don't know how much it has impacted," he said.
"Since yesterday, when we heard the news, the death toll has been rising rapidly, and the number of missing people has also been rising very rapidly.
"So we are still at the beginning stage of this disaster, and we still don't know how much and what it has impacted."
The society will be holding a candlelight vigil at Aotea Square in Auckland's CBD tomorrow evening.
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