Kathmandu:The death toll from catastrophic flooding along the Nepal China border has reached 903 in Nepal, while 4,247 people remain unaccounted for, as rescue teams continue searching damaged communities and hydropower projects.
Chinese authorities have reported 16 deaths and 546 people missing in Tibet. Together, the figures from Nepal and China put the reported death toll at 919 and the number missing at 4,793. The figures remain subject to change as rescue teams continue their searches and authorities verify information.
The disaster struck on August 26 after a major collapse involving rock and ice in the Himalayan region triggered a huge flow of water, ice, mud and debris. The surge moved through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, sweeping away homes, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower facilities.
Scientists who examined satellite images said bedrock beneath a glacier collapsed, taking part of the glacier with it. The event generated a strong seismic signal equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake. However, the signal was caused by the collapse and debris flow, not by an earthquake.
The disaster affected several districts in Nepal, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Chitwan and Tanahun. Bodies have been recovered hundreds of kilometres downstream after floodwaters carried victims and debris along the river channels.
Chitwan has recorded the highest number of recovered bodies, with 272, followed by Nawalparasi East with 207 and Nawalparasi West with 151. Bodies have also been recovered in Nuwakot, Gorkha, Dhading, Tanahun and Rasuwa.
The scale of the disaster has made the identification of victims a major challenge. Unidentified bodies are being kept at hospitals in several districts, while authorities are collecting information and DNA samples to help families identify their missing relatives.
The search for survivors is also continuing at hydropower projects along the affected rivers. Nepal's disaster authority says 933 people associated with hydropower projects remain unaccounted for. Officials say about 90 people are believed to be trapped inside several hydropower tunnels blocked by mud and rock.
Nepalese rescue teams are working with tunnel rescue specialists from India, China and South Korea. Heavy equipment is being used to remove debris and create access to the tunnels.
Nepal's disaster authority said 10,451 people had been rescued by Monday. It also reported that 20,819 security personnel had been deployed for search, rescue and relief operations.
Nepal Army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet said large amounts of debris inside the tunnels were making the rescue operation difficult. He said the main focus was opening the tunnels.
The disaster has also affected people from outside Nepal. Nepal's latest figures include 592 foreign nationals among those missing. Chinese authorities have reported 261 foreign nationals among the 546 people missing in Tibet.
Some of those missing were foreign tourists or pilgrims travelling through the region towards religious sites in Tibet.
The flooding caused extensive damage to transport links between Nepal and China. Roads, bridges, border facilities and hydropower infrastructure were damaged, leaving some communities difficult to reach.
Authorities are also monitoring the risk of further flooding and landslides. The collapse and subsequent landslides have created temporary water bodies in the mountain region. Officials fear that a sudden release of stored water could cause additional flooding downstream.
Rescue operations have been interrupted at times by bad weather and concerns about these unstable areas. Authorities are continuing to monitor rivers, slopes and temporary lakes as they search for missing people.
The disaster has also raised questions about the sharing of information on glaciers, river levels and other hazards between Nepal and China.
Nepalese officials have said they wanted greater access to information about glacier movements and water levels following discussions with China earlier this year. China has maintained that it shared relevant information in a timely manner.
The issue remains under discussion, and there is not enough evidence to conclude that a lack of information sharing caused the deaths. The disaster has nevertheless highlighted the importance of cross border cooperation in monitoring Himalayan hazards and warning communities that could be affected.
Scientists have also pointed to the wider risks associated with a warming climate. Higher temperatures can contribute to instability in glaciers, permafrost and high mountain slopes. However, scientists have cautioned against saying that climate change directly caused this particular collapse without further evidence.
The United Nations and international humanitarian organisations are supporting Nepal's response. The Red Cross estimates that more than 90,000 people have been affected by the disaster.
For now, the priority remains finding survivors, recovering the missing and supporting communities that have lost homes, roads and access to essential services.
Search, rescue, relief and victim identification operations are continuing as authorities work to assess the full extent of the damage.
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