Nepal flood toll hits 675, over 2,400 still missing as rains hinder search ops

Flash floods tore through Rasuwa and central Nepal after a glacial collapse near the China border. Authorities have warned of renewed flooding as water levels rise again in the Bhotekoshi area.

In Short

• 320 Indians remain unaccounted for among those missing
• China warns glacial lake could breach its natural dam
• Nepal allows foreign teams to assist specialised rescue operations

Nepal is reeling from the devastation caused by flash floods that swept through Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal on Wednesday, following an ice-and-rock avalanche triggered by a glacial collapse near the China border.

The disaster has killed 675 people, according to Nepal Police, while more than 2,400 remain unaccounted for. The floods destroyed roads, bridges, settlements and hydropower infrastructure across the region.

The disaster has also raised fears of further flooding, with authorities urging people and rescue workers in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli areas to remain alert and move to safer locations if necessary.

NEPAL FLASH FLOODS: LATEST UPDATES

1. At least 2,426 people are still unaccounted for across Nepal and Tibet following the devastating floods and landslides. Nepal accounts for 1,924 of the missing, while 554 remain unaccounted for in Tibet, according to Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
2. The death toll in the country has now risen to 675 from the 669 that was reported earlier. In a statement, Nepal's Foreign Minister, Shisir Khanal, said that the authorities have rescued 4450 people till now. 
3. Officials have cautioned that the numbers could change as authorities continue assessing the scale of the disaster. Nepal’s disaster agency said 589 foreigners, including tourists and foreign workers, remain missing. A total of 753 tourists, including foreigners and Nepali nationals, remain unaccounted for, among them 183 Indians.
4. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that 88 Indians have been rescued till now, while 287 are still missing. Four Indians, working at a hydropower project, were rescued on Saturday.
5. The MEA further said that forensic expert teams are expected to reach Kathmandu today to help in the analysis of DNA samples for the identification of mortal remains.
6. Meanwhile, a specialised technical team from India conducted an on-site reconnaissance of tunnels in flash flood-affected areas of Nepal to help facilitate the early search and rescue of people believed to be stranded. The team arrived in Nepal on Friday aboard an aircraft carrying an 11-member medical and tunnel rescue team, along with other relief supplies. Chinese tunnel experts also arrived to support rescue operations.
7. As India plays a significant role in the rescue operations, Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal praised External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for India's support amid the devastating flash floods, saying the two countries have remained in continuous contact as rescue and relief operations continue.
8. Nepal's weather department on Saturday again warned of fresh rainfall and thunderstorms in several flood-hit areas, raising concerns that worsening weather could hamper ongoing search and rescue operations. Shishir Khanal said the situation was being closely monitored and that the country remained on "high alert" as rescuers continued searching for the missing people.
9. The search and rescue teams, including security personnel, provincial and local government officials, medical teams and emergency responders, are working together in the flood-affected areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan districts to locate, rescue and assist people in need of urgent help.

10. Nepal initially refused international search-and-rescue assistance, saying its own teams were capable of handling the operation. It later allowed specialised teams from India, China, Australia and South Korea to help with tunnel rescues, DNA testing and forensic work as hundreds remain unaccounted for.

    Nepal needs $4 billion to $5 billion for reconstruction after the devastating floods, its Finance Minister told Reuters.

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