Kathmandu: Nepal and China have resumed rescue operations after a newly formed barrier lake briefly raised fears of further flooding in areas devastated by a glacier collapse in the Himalayan border region.
Rescue teams on both sides of the border were temporarily moved to safer areas on Friday after water began overflowing from the lake. Operations resumed after authorities assessed that the immediate risk had become manageable.
The disaster has killed at least 579 people in Nepal and five in China's Tibet Autonomous Region, according to the latest figures reported by authorities. Nepali police have given a lower death toll of 553, showing that casualty figures are still being updated as rescue and recovery operations continue.
Nepal's disaster authority said 1,924 people were missing in the country. China has reported 558 people missing in Gyirong County in Tibet. Together, the figures mean nearly 2,500 people are currently unaccounted for on both sides of the border.
More than 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal, with helicopters being used to reach people trapped in remote mountain areas. Rescue workers are also searching through thick layers of mud and debris left by the floods.
The disaster began on Wednesday, August 26, when a major collapse involving a high altitude glacier and rock triggered a huge flow of ice, water, mud and debris through Himalayan river systems.
The collapse occurred in Langtang National Park in Nepal, near the border with China. The resulting debris flow and flooding travelled almost 100 kilometres through the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi river systems, affecting populated areas and infrastructure downstream, including Gyirong Port in China.
The event was initially linked in some reports to possible earthquake activity. Scientific analysis has since indicated that the seismic signal was generated by the glacial collapse and debris flow rather than an earthquake triggering the disaster.
The worst affected areas include Rasuwa district in northern Nepal and Gyirong County in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Roads, bridges, power facilities and other infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach some communities.
The danger has not completely passed.
Nepal is monitoring two barrier lakes upstream of the flood affected area. Officials have warned that flood risks could continue until the lakes drain. Satellite images have also shown that one of the lakes was growing and had no visible outlet, raising concerns about further water pressure.
The new threat forced some residents in vulnerable areas to move to higher ground. Rescue teams also temporarily withdrew from dangerous areas before returning after the risk was assessed as manageable.
China has intensified its response to the disaster. President Xi Jinping instructed authorities to make search and rescue the immediate priority and to strengthen monitoring and early warning measures to prevent further disasters.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang travelled to Gyirong County to guide emergency rescue and relief operations. Specialist rescue teams and other emergency personnel have been deployed to the affected area.
The disaster has also affected foreign nationals. Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 632 foreign nationals from 33 countries were included in its records linked to the disaster. Of those, 121 had been found and 511 remained missing. The ministry said the figures were subject to verification as search and rescue operations continued.
Many foreign nationals were in the region for work, trekking or religious pilgrimage. The area is an important route for travellers between Nepal and Tibet, including people travelling towards Mount Kailash.
Nepal has established an emergency control room to help verify information and provide consular assistance to foreign nationals affected by the disaster.
The humanitarian impact is also becoming clearer. Aid organisations estimate that tens of thousands of people in Nepal have been affected and need assistance. Thousands of children have also been affected, while schools and other essential services have been damaged.
The disaster has left communities without normal access to roads, electricity, communications and other essential services. Emergency teams are providing food, water, hygiene supplies and other assistance to affected communities.
Nepal's authorities are continuing to search for survivors and recover bodies while monitoring mountain rivers and barrier lakes for signs of further flooding.
The immediate flood threat has eased, but the rescue operation remains difficult and dangerous. Authorities on both sides of the border are still assessing the full human and economic impact of the disaster as the search for missing people continues.