Nepal-China floods death toll rises to 781 as search operations continue

08:10

By: Azzat Manal

Nepal-China floods death toll rises to 781 as search operations continue

The death toll from the devastating floods and landslides that struck areas along the Nepal-China border has risen to 781, while 2,502 people remain missing, according to the latest figures released by Nepal’s disaster risk reduction authorities.

Five days after the disaster, Nepalese authorities began burying victims on Monday as rescue teams continued searching for missing people in several hard-to-reach areas. Heavy rainfall, swollen rivers and difficult terrain have made access to some of the affected locations particularly challenging.

The disaster has also affected a large number of foreign nationals. Nepal’s tourism authorities reported that 591 foreigners remain missing, while 289 foreign nationals have reportedly been rescued. Authorities also received renewed contact from five people, including three Spanish citizens, one American and one Belgian, offering some hope to families still waiting for information.

Rescue efforts are also focused on damaged infrastructure where dozens of workers are believed to be trapped underground. Teams are continuing attempts to locate around 100 workers reportedly stuck inside a tunnel, although difficult weather conditions are slowing operations.

The Rasuwa district has been among the areas particularly affected, with flooding along the Koshi River causing extensive damage and making it difficult for authorities to assess the full scale of the destruction. Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah described the disaster as an exceptionally serious event and acknowledged the difficulties involved in establishing a definitive assessment of the human and material losses.

The disaster has also had a major impact on the Chinese side of the border. Authorities in the Tibet Autonomous Region reported 16 deaths and 546 people still missing. The missing persons reportedly include foreign nationals, among them 104 Nepalese, 49 Indians, 33 Latvians, 18 Americans and two French citizens.

The international dimension of the disaster has prompted several governments and diplomatic missions to assist in identifying and locating their nationals. Consular authorities remain in contact with local officials as search operations continue.

Scientists and experts cited in reports on the disaster have linked the event to the collapse of a major glacier in the mountainous region. The sudden release of large quantities of water and debris is believed to have generated a powerful surge that intensified flooding downstream.

The mountainous geography of the area presents a significant challenge for rescue teams. Landslide risks, unstable terrain, heavy rainfall and rapidly changing water levels continue to threaten both survivors and rescuers.

As Nepal begins the difficult process of burying victims and assessing the damage, authorities remain focused on locating those still missing. With thousands of people unaccounted for, the final human cost of the disaster remains uncertain.