Kathmandu: Nepal's meteorology department on Saturday warned of fresh rainfall and thunderstorms in the country's flash flood-affected areas, threatening to disrupt ongoing rescue and relief operations amid the crisis, according to a media report.
Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said in a press conference that the situation was being closely monitored and the country remained on “high alert”.
A massive torrent of water, mud and debris swept through central Nepal on Wednesday, devastating towns and villages, washing away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, and damaging hydropower projects.
The death toll rose to 669 on Saturday, while more than 3,000 people remained missing, even as rescue operations continued amid intermittent rainfall reported in several flood-affected areas.
More than 15,000 security personnel were reportedly mobilised for the search and rescue operations.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology on Saturday forecast heavy rain in the hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, the hilly areas of Karnali, and the Terai regions of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces, The Rising Nepal media portal said.
Meteorologist Hari Prasad Dahal said most places in the Bhotekoshi flood-affected area in Rasuwa are likely to receive moderate rainfall on Saturday.
“Heavy rain may occur in one or two places, which is likely to affect search and rescue operations. Therefore, precaution is necessary,” he added.
The meteorology department also indicated a possibility of moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning as well as snowfall in many places in the country’s hilly and mountainous regions.
Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, along with some other hilly and mountainous areas, may experience rainfall with thunder and lightning as well as snow, it said.
Rescuers continued search operations amid fears of another wave of flooding, following an increase in water levels in the Bhotekoshi River.
Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have already warned about a new barrier lake forming near the river's source in Tibet and warned that it could breach, adding to the risk of fresh floods in downstream areas in Nepal.