Daijiworld Media Network – Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Aug 28: The death toll from the devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen to 392, while 1,468 people remain missing on both sides of the border, even as a newly formed barrier lake raises fears of another major flood surge.
Of the 392 fatalities, 389 were reported in Nepal and three in neighbouring Tibet. Nepalese authorities said 910 people remain missing in the country, while officials in Tibet reported 558 people unaccounted for.
The disaster was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting torrent of water, mud and debris swept through settlements in central Nepal, particularly Rasuwa and Nuwakot, destroying homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
Nepal Police said 796 people, including 50 foreign nationals, had been rescued by helicopters, while another 796 were evacuated by land. Search teams continue to scour riverbanks, isolated settlements and downstream areas for survivors and bodies.
At least 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel are among those reported missing. Around 160 people working at hydropower projects and customs offices have also been reported unaccounted for.
India has intensified efforts to trace 290 nationals who remain uncontactable in Nepal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the government was coordinating with Nepalese authorities, state governments, tour operators and other agencies to establish their whereabouts.
India has so far rescued 84 nationals, including 63 workers from the Trishuli-I hydropower project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu. Around 200 Indians stranded on the Tibet side have also sought assistance for evacuation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured him of India's full humanitarian assistance. The Ministry of External Affairs has also established a 24-hour control room to coordinate tracing and evacuation efforts.
Meanwhile, Nepalese authorities rescued 27 foreign tourists stranded in Rasuwa, including 11 Indians. The group also comprised four South Koreans, two Italians and two US nationals. The tourists were airlifted to Kathmandu by the Nepal Army.
India has also stepped up relief assistance to Nepal, sending another 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian supplies on Thursday, taking the total assistance dispatched so far to 47.5 tonnes. The supplies include temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, medicines and food packets.
The rescue operation has been complicated by extensive damage to infrastructure. The entire 42-km road stretch between Betrawati in Nuwakot and Rasuwagadhi was damaged at several points, while 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and around 40 km of black-topped roads were affected.
The Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects and other power infrastructure have also suffered damage.
A fresh threat has emerged with the formation of a barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system. Chinese authorities estimated that around two million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake by Thursday morning, with another three million cubic metres potentially flowing into it over the next three days.
Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology warned of a continuing risk of flooding in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river areas and urged residents, travellers and rescue teams to stay away from riverbanks and remain alert.
The flash floods followed an ice-rock avalanche that struck the Lhende River and temporarily blocked its flow. When the natural barrier gave way, a massive surge travelled downstream through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.
A revised analysis by the US Geological Survey indicated that the event initially reported as a 4.4-magnitude earthquake was actually caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow. A separate 3.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded in parts of Nepal on Thursday.
Families across flood-hit areas continue to search hospitals and rescue centres for missing relatives. Hospitals in Kathmandu and Chitwan have displayed lists and photographs of people rescued or recovered, while authorities are collecting phone numbers and other details to trace those still missing.
The Nepal Army, police and other security agencies continue search-and-rescue operations across Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot and Chitwan. Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah visited flood-affected areas in Nuwakot, while Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited flood-hit Gyirong Township to oversee relief and rescue efforts.
With entire settlements swept away, vital roads and bridges destroyed and hundreds of families still awaiting news of loved ones, authorities continue to assess the full scale of one of Nepal's worst recent flood disasters.