The death toll from devastating floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen to at least 472, while more than 1,400 people remain missing, as rescue teams face the threat of further flooding.
According to Channels Television, a tsunami-like surge of water, ice and mud struck the region on Wednesday, destroying homes, bridges and vehicles across parts of Nepal and Tibet.
The US Geological Survey said a glacial collapse triggered the disaster, making it Nepal’s deadliest disaster since the 2015 earthquake.
Fresh Flood Threat
Rescue operations were disrupted on Friday after authorities reported that a debris dam had burst on the Tibetan side, raising fears of another torrent.
Nepali police ordered rescuers to immediately move to safer locations after receiving information that another water dam had broken.
China also suspended rescue operations in the hardest-hit area of Gyirong because of the risk of renewed flooding. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that a lake formed by debris was overflowing towards areas where rescue teams had been working.
Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a meeting on Friday where officials warned of hidden dangers from glaciers, ice lakes and geological disasters in the region.
More Than 100 Trapped In Tunnel
Rescue teams are also trying to reach more than 100 people trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project in Nepal.
Nepali Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said two helicopters had been deployed, but rescuers were struggling to locate the tunnel entrances because of the extensive destruction.
About 350 workers and residents had already been brought to safety from the site, he said.
Survivors described the flooding as extremely rapid. Worker Buddha Tamang said he survived because he was inside a tunnel when the flood struck, while senior officers working elsewhere were swept away.
Families Await News
The disaster has left families desperately searching for missing relatives.
Kula Priya, whose eldest son is missing, said three of her family’s houses were destroyed.
“I don’t care for wealth. I just want my son back,” she said.
Nepali authorities said 910 people, including 517 foreign tourists, remain out of contact. Indians account for the largest group among the missing foreign nationals, while the United States said 90 of its citizens were out of contact.
India has also recovered seven bodies from rivers flowing from Nepal, believed to be victims of the floods.
Pilgrims Among The Missing
Hindu pilgrims travelling towards Mount Kailash, a sacred site in Tibet, are also among those missing.
A Malaysian woman, Logadarrsiny Raman, said she had lost contact with her parents, aunt and uncle, who were travelling with a group of 17 Malaysians.
Their last contact was on Wednesday morning while they were travelling towards the Nepal-China border, shortly before the flooding struck the area.
Across the border in Tibet, Chinese authorities said hundreds of people were missing and three had died. Officials also reported that 555 stranded tourists and 499 Chinese residents had been evacuated.
