Nepal floods : 392 dead, 290 Indians still uncontactable as fresh threat looms
The death toll from the devastating flash floods that swept through Nepal and neighbouring Tibet has risen to 392, while 1,468 people remain missing as rescuers race to reach cut-off areas.
Of the 392 deaths, 389 were reported in Nepal and three in Tibet. Nepal authorities said 910 people were missing in the country, while Chinese authorities reported 558 missing in Tibet.
The disaster has also prompted an urgent effort in India to trace its nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs said 290 Indians remain uncontactable, while 84 Indian nationals have been rescued so far. Those rescued include 63 workers from the under-construction Trishuli-I hydropower project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu. Around 200 Indians on the Tibet side have sought assistance for evacuation.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India was coordinating with Nepal, China, state governments, tour operators and other agencies to establish the whereabouts of its citizens and facilitate their rescue.
India has also sent 47.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, medicines and food packets to Nepal following the disaster.
Meanwhile, authorities are monitoring a newly formed barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system, amid fears that a breach could trigger another flood downstream. Chinese authorities estimated that around 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake by Thursday morning, with another 3 million cubic metres potentially flowing into it over the next three days.
Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology warned of a continuing flood risk in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river areas and urged people to stay away from riverbanks.
The floods were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, according to Nepalese authorities and the US Geological Survey. The avalanche temporarily blocked the Lhende River before the natural barrier gave way, sending a torrent of water, mud and debris downstream.
The floods devastated Rasuwa district before sweeping through settlements including Timure and Rasuwagadhi, destroying homes, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower infrastructure. Nepal's disaster management authority reported damage to 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and around 40 km of roads.
Nepal Police said 796 people had been rescued by helicopter and another 796 evacuated by land. Twenty-seven foreign tourists, including 11 Indians, were rescued from Rasuwa on Thursday and flown to Kathmandu.
At least 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel remain unaccounted for. Around 160 people working at hydropower projects and customs offices have also been reported missing.
The disaster has disrupted key road links and left several areas difficult to access, complicating rescue operations. Authorities continue to search riverbanks, settlements and downstream areas for survivors and missing people as families wait for information on their loved ones.
