Kathmandu: Rescue teams continued searching for hundreds of people missing after a devastating flash flood struck areas along the Nepal China border, while authorities warned that a newly formed barrier lake could trigger another flood.
At least 359 people have died in Nepal and three people have died in China's Tibet region, according to the latest reports. More than 1,000 people remain missing or unaccounted for across Nepal and Tibet, although the figures are still being updated as rescue teams reach areas cut off by the disaster.
The disaster struck on Wednesday, August 26, after a collapse of ice and rock sent mud and debris into a Himalayan river system near the border. The sudden surge of water, mud and rocks swept through communities, destroying homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
The worst affected areas include Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts in Nepal and Gyirong County in China's Tibet region. The disaster also affected a route used by trekkers and pilgrims travelling between Kathmandu and Lhasa.
Rescue operations have been made difficult by damaged roads, destroyed bridges and disrupted communication services. Nepal Army helicopters have been used to search for survivors, evacuate people and deliver emergency supplies to communities cut off by the flood.
Authorities are also dealing with the threat of another flood. A barrier lake has formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers near the Nepal China border.
Chinese authorities said the lake contained about two million cubic metres of water on Thursday morning and was already overflowing. Another three million cubic metres of water could enter the lake over the next three days, raising concerns that the natural barrier could breach.
Nepal's authorities have warned people living near the Bhotekoshi River to stay away from riverbanks and move to safer areas if instructed. Rescue workers and travellers in the affected region have also been told to remain alert.
The possible breach adds to the difficulties facing rescue teams, who are already working in areas where roads and communications have been badly damaged. Authorities are monitoring water levels and the condition of the barrier to assess the risk of another surge.
India is also trying to locate hundreds of its nationals affected by the disaster. India's Ministry of External Affairs said 288 Indian nationals remained unaccounted for in Nepal.
The Indian government said the group includes 73 people working at the Trishuli One power project, two groups of 37 and 49 people from Tamil Nadu who travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, 32 people from West Bengal who were in Timure in Rasuwa district, 61 people from different states and 33 people from Kerala.
However, the situation remains fluid. Nepalese authorities have located about 100 Indian visitors, while India continues to verify the whereabouts of those still listed as unaccounted for. Communication services in many affected areas have been severely disrupted, making it difficult to establish contact with people.
Twenty one Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu have been rescued and are being brought towards Kathmandu. They are expected to return home after reaching the capital.
Around 200 other Indians who travelled for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage have sought assistance on the Chinese side of the border. Indian officials are coordinating with Chinese authorities to help those stranded there.
India has also sent humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Two military aircraft have carried a total of 47.5 tonnes of relief supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene materials, solar lamps, medicines and food.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered India's support to Nepal as rescue and relief operations continue. India's Ministry of External Affairs has also established a control room, while Indian diplomatic missions are helping families obtain information about their relatives.
Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established an emergency response team to coordinate search and rescue efforts, verify information and assist foreign nationals affected by the disaster.
Foreign nationals make up a significant part of those reported missing. Many were travelling through the region as pilgrims or tourists. The Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage is particularly important in the current rescue effort because many Indian travellers use routes through Nepal to reach the sacred site in Tibet.
The disaster was initially associated with reports of an earthquake after seismic activity was detected in the region. Further analysis, including satellite imagery and seismic data, indicated that a large collapse of ice and rock was responsible for the event rather than an earthquake.
The collapse sent a fast moving mixture of water, mud, rocks and ice into the river system. The resulting surge caused river levels to rise rapidly and swept away settlements and infrastructure downstream.
Experts have also warned about the wider instability of Himalayan glaciers and mountain slopes. Rising temperatures and changes in glacier and permafrost conditions may increase risks in the region, but the specific role of climate change in this particular collapse remains under assessment.
The disaster has affected both Nepal and China's Tibet region and has created a major humanitarian and rescue challenge. International agencies are also supporting relief efforts as authorities work to reach isolated communities and provide food, shelter, medical assistance and other essential supplies.
With the death toll and missing figures still changing, the full scale of the disaster is not yet known. Rescue teams in Nepal and China are continuing their search for survivors while authorities closely monitor the newly formed lake and prepare for the possibility of further flooding.