Devastating Floods in Nepal: Hundreds Dead and Thousands Missing

Devastating Floods in Nepal: Hundreds Dead and Thousands Missing

The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to 616 people. Another 554 people are reported missing. At least seven people have also died in Tibet, although figures from Chinese and Nepali authorities may overlap.

Nepalese emergency services have so far been unable to locate around 1,924 people, including hundreds of foreign nationals. The situation is changing rapidly, and different government agencies continue to release updated figures.

Risk of Another Major Disaster

The region remains at risk of another disaster. A landslide on the Nepal-Tibet border blocked a river high in the mountains, creating a large landslide-dammed lake.

According to Chinese authorities, around 2.5 million cubic metres of water has accumulated in the lake. Water has already started flowing over the natural landslide dam. The volume could increase by another approximately 3 million cubic metres by the weekend.

If the natural dam breaks, millions of cubic metres of water, mud and rocks could rush down the valleys. Heavy rainfall in the region is further increasing the risk of new landslides.

Rescue Operations Face Difficult Conditions

Thousands of members of Nepal's security forces are involved in search and rescue operations. Authorities said that 69 flights were previously carried out to affected areas in a single day, helping rescue 573 people.

However, weather conditions, unstable mountain terrain, damaged roads and communication disruptions are making rescue efforts extremely difficult. In some areas, search operations remain almost impossible.

Chinese rescuers were also temporarily forced to suspend operations further down the valley because of water flowing over the natural dam. The rescue operation resumed after conditions stabilized.

New Flood Warnings Issued

Nepalese authorities have warned residents about the risk of further flooding caused by other river blockages on the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi rivers.

Residents have been advised to stay away from rivers and potentially dangerous areas while the threat of additional landslides and floods remains.

Situation in Tibet

Chinese state media have reported deaths and hundreds of people missing in Tibet. However, it remains unclear whether these figures overlap with the number of people reported missing in Nepal.

Chinese authorities are closely monitoring the landslide-dammed lake because a breach could release a large additional volume of water.

Independent reporting from Tibet is difficult because foreign media have limited access to the region. Much of the available information comes from Chinese state sources.

Foreign Nationals Among the Missing

According to updated figures from Nepalese police, 575 foreign nationals from 36 countries are reported missing in Nepal.

• United States: 65 people;
• Ukraine: 62 people;
• India: around 320 people, according to previously released figures from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Malaysia: between 28 and 55 people, according to different authorities;
• Australia: 34 people;
• United Kingdom: 33 people;
• Canada: 25 people;
• South Korea: 9 people;
• Germany: 8 people;
• Singapore: 6 people;
• South Africa: 6 people;
• Japan: 5 people;
• New Zealand: at least 5 people.

Figures for Russian nationals also differ. Nepalese authorities report five missing people, while Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported eight.

In addition to foreign nationals, 149 Nepalese citizens are reported missing.

International Assistance

India has provided Nepal with tents, food and other essential supplies. Humanitarian aid is being delivered by helicopter to some of the worst-affected areas.

The United Kingdom is also sending a rapid response team to Nepal to assist people affected by the disaster. British authorities have urged citizens in Nepal or China who need consular assistance to contact the relevant diplomatic missions.

Possible Cause of the Disaster

According to preliminary scientific assessments, the giant landslide may have been triggered by the collapse of part of a glacier on the slopes of Langtang Lirung mountain on the Nepalese side.

The collapsed material entered the Lhende River, after which the flow breached the resulting natural dam. Huge amounts of water, mud and rocks then rushed downstream, causing widespread destruction.

The situation remains unstable. Rescue operations are continuing, while the threat of further floods and landslides remains due to heavy rainfall and the formation of the landslide-dammed lake in the mountains.