More than 600 individuals have been confirmed dead in Nepal after destructive flash floods hit the Nepal-China border, as rescue workers persist in their search for survivors for the fourth straight day.
Nepal’s disaster management authorities reported on Saturday that the death toll had increased to 626, with 2,426 people still unaccounted for. In China, there have been separate reports of seven deaths and 554 missing individuals in Tibet.
The catastrophe occurred on Wednesday when a massive surge of water, mud, and debris swept through communities in this mountainous border region, demolishing homes, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
The rescue efforts are being hampered by adverse weather, damaged roads, and dense mud. Helicopter operations were temporarily halted in some areas due to difficult weather conditions, although ground teams have continued their work.
At the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, rescuers are attempting to reach over 100 people believed to be trapped inside a tunnel filled with several feet of mud.
Reports indicate that more than 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal so far, as emergency workers continue to access isolated communities and evacuate survivors.
The disaster has also led to extensive destruction near the Nepal-Tibet border, severely damaging the Gyirong border crossing and key transport routes.
Authorities suspect the catastrophic flooding was triggered by a glacial collapse and a subsequent flood surge in the Himalayas. The calamity has also created a new lake in the mountains, raising concerns about potential further flooding, though water levels have reportedly decreased.
Thousands of families are anxiously awaiting news about missing relatives. Among the missing are hundreds of foreign nationals, including tourists, workers, and pilgrims who were in the area when the disaster occurred.
The International Red Cross estimates that approximately 93,000 people may have been affected by the disaster, underscoring the significant humanitarian needs facing communities across the impacted regions.
As search teams enter their fourth day of operations, authorities emphasize that their focus remains on finding survivors, recovering victims, and providing emergency assistance to those who have lost their homes and sources of livelihood.
Despite the increasing death toll and extremely challenging conditions, rescue teams persist in searching for people who may still be alive in the devastated areas.
