Nepal continued to grapple with the aftermath of devastating flash floods on Monday, with the death toll rising to 939 and 4,247 people still missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Bodies have been recovered from all eight affected districts as rescuers continue search operations on the sixth day of the disaster. The floods also killed 16 people on the Chinese side, while nearly 550 people remain missing in Tibet, according to Chinese media reports.
Experts establish cause of devastating floods
A study by the Nepal Environment Society found that the floods were triggered by a massive fall of ice, rock and debris in the high Himalayas, rather than an earthquake or glacial lake outburst flood. The material entered the Lhende River and generated a powerful debris-laden flow that travelled downstream through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. Researchers also found no evidence of exceptionally heavy rainfall in the upper watershed that day, while experts said further field investigation was needed to establish the precise geological mechanism.
Hundreds of hydropower workers remain untraced
More than 600 workers are believed to be stranded inside tunnels at flood-hit hydropower projects, while 933 workers and employees remain out of contact, the NDRRMA said. So far, 279 people have been rescued from tunnels, with specialised teams from India and China assisting Nepal's operations. Rescue personnel are facing difficult conditions, with shortages of specialised equipment, body bags, ropes, helicopters and life-detection devices hampering efforts to reach survivors and recover bodies.
Nepal seeks more international rescue support
Nepal has sought additional international assistance, including freezers, DNA testing kits, LiDAR, high-capacity drones and bridge units, as it expands rescue and forensic operations. Teams from India, China and South Korea are assisting with tunnel rescue, while an Indian forensic team is helping analyse DNA samples for victim identification. India has also provided specialised tunnel rescue assistance, while countries including China, the UAE, the US and others have sent relief supplies and financial support.