Hard-hit areas in Nepal still inaccessible - aid group

Action Aid has said some of the hardest-hit regions in Nepal are still inaccessible following flash flooding and mud slides that have caused devastation along the border with Tibet.

Nepal's disaster authority said over 900 were now dead, while the number missing in the aftermath also jumped to 4,247.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Action Aid communications manager Anish Raj Shresta said persistent rain is causing difficulty getting to affected areas.

"One of the hardest hit regions is still not accessible by road," he said.

He added he believed that the road was so badly damaged that the conditions don't exist to reach those impacted.

"It's raining. Still the monsoon is going on ... they are using the alternative routes. They are facing difficulties and the vehicles are stuck in the mud," Mr Shresta said.

Nepali officials said that the focus was on reaching the hundreds of workers believed to be trapped inside about half a dozen hydropower project tunnels that had been blocked by mud and rock debris.

"The government has been putting a lot of effort in trying to drill the hole inside the tunnel and try to rescue people," he said.

He added: "The rescue mission is going on, but it seems like ... the situation is not very positive at the moment.

"The Nepali army has achieved a breakthrough at the tunnel intake, but things are not as it seems.

"A lot of information [is] also showing that [the tunnels] might be filled with water.

"In terms of rescuing the hydropower [workers], I think there are quite a few people who have been rescued from various hydropower [facilities] as well.

"But we still have to wait and see what kind of outcome it brings."

The cause of the flooding was blamed on a glacial collapse.

Read more:
Nepal flood death toll hits 900 as number missing climbs
'Everything is lost' - Inside Nepal's devastated flood zone

Mr Shresta said every indication is that it was the result of climate change, but that scientists will have the final say.

"It is happening year after year after year. And despite the fact that we are the lowest resource using or lowest carbon [emitter], I think we have been [hit] hard.

"And when we are trying to connect the dots, we are not far away from concluding it as a climate crisis. I think there are scientific communities who will validate that.

"But now we see it is the impact that we are bearing through this global warming, and the consequences that we have to face today," Mr Shresta said.