More than 600 people have been confirmed dead in Nepal following devastating flash floods along the Nepal-China border, as rescue teams continue their search for survivors for a fourth consecutive day.
Nepal’s disaster management authorities said on Saturday that the death toll had risen to 626, while 2,426 people remained missing. China has separately reported seven deaths and 554 missing people in Tibet.
The disaster struck on Wednesday after a massive surge of water, mud and debris swept through communities in the mountainous border region, destroying homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
Rescue operations have been complicated by poor weather, damaged roads and thick mud. Helicopter operations were temporarily suspended in some areas because of difficult weather conditions, although ground teams continued their efforts.
At the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, rescuers are searching for more than 100 people believed to be trapped inside a tunnel filled with several feet of mud.
More than 3,700 people have so far been rescued in Nepal, according to reports, while emergency workers continue to reach isolated communities and evacuate survivors.
The disaster has also caused widespread destruction near the Nepal-Tibet border, including the severe damage of the Gyirong border crossing and key transport routes.
Authorities believe the catastrophic flooding was triggered by a glacial collapse and resulting flood surge in the Himalayas. The disaster also created a new lake in the mountains, raising concerns about the possibility of further flooding, although water levels have reportedly fallen.
Thousands of families remain desperate for information about missing relatives. The missing include hundreds of foreign nationals, including tourists, workers and pilgrims who were in the region when the disaster struck.
The International Red Cross has estimated that about 93,000 people may have been affected by the disaster, highlighting the enormous humanitarian needs facing communities across the affected areas.
As search teams enter the fourth day of operations, authorities say the focus remains on locating survivors, recovering victims and providing emergency assistance to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
Despite the rising death toll and extremely difficult conditions, rescue teams continue to search the devastated areas for people who may still be alive.
