Death toll rises to 392 as rescue operations continue
The death toll from the devastating Nepal-Tibet flash floods rose to 392 on Thursday, with 1,468 people reported missing across Nepal and Tibet, as rescuers continued searching for survivors and authorities warned of another possible flood surge from a newly formed barrier lake upstream of the Bhote Koshi River.
Nepal reported 389 deaths and 1,468 people missing across Nepal and Tibet. Nepal Police said 796 people had been rescued by helicopters and another 796 evacuated by land. The disaster swept through Rasuwa before entering the Trishuli river system and affecting Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahun and Nawalparasi East, destroying homes, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower infrastructure.
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New barrier lake raises fresh flood concerns
Authorities are now monitoring a new barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system, where Chinese officials estimated that around two million cubic metres of water had accumulated. Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology warned that a breach could trigger another surge downstream and urged residents, travellers and rescue teams to stay away from riverbanks.
The latest assessments have also shifted the understanding of the disaster's cause, with the US Geological Survey saying the tremors initially reported as an earthquake were instead generated by a glacial collapse and debris flow.
India steps up efforts to trace nationals
India intensified efforts to trace its nationals, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying 290 Indians remain uncontactable, while 84 have been rescued and around 200 Indians on the Tibet side have sought assistance for evacuation.
India sent a second consignment of 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, medicines and food packets on Thursday, taking the total relief material dispatched to Nepal to 47.5 tonnes. Several state governments also continued efforts to trace and evacuate residents, while 25 Delhi residents who had visited Mansarovar returned safely.
International aid reaches flood-hit Nepal
International assistance also began to build, with the UN allocating an initial $2 million for emergency relief, the US pledging $500,000 and Sri Lanka announcing $1 million in financial assistance.
Nepal's search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing, with damaged roads, washed-away bridges, disrupted communications and the risk of further flooding continuing to hamper efforts to reach affected areas.
