Nepal Flash Flood Death Toll Exceeds 600, Thousands Missing

The devastating flash floods that struck Nepal and the border region with China have claimed over 600 lives, with an alarming number of around 3,000 people still unaccounted for. As rescue operations entered their fourth day, efforts to find survivors in the thick mud have been significantly hampered by poor weather conditions.

Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet, a spokesperson for the Nepali Army, reported on Saturday that helicopter operations were temporarily suspended due to the weather. Authorities are particularly concerned about a hydropower construction site in Nepal's Rasuwa district, where they believe more than 100 individuals may be trapped inside a tunnel filled with mud. Rescuers are facing immense challenges, including deep mud and limited landing areas, slowing down efforts to reach those in need.

Adding to the crisis, Nepali and Chinese authorities have issued warnings about the potential for further flooding from a new lake that formed upstream following the initial disaster. Residents in areas downstream have been advised to move to higher ground. The risk of the lake overflowing has also forced rescue teams to relocate temporarily, highlighting the ongoing danger.

So far, over 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal, while Chinese state media reported 558 missing on their side of the border. The missing include a significant number of foreigners who were in the region for work, trekking, or religious pilgrimages. The Red Cross estimates that around 90,000 people may have been affected by the flooding, which scientists believe was triggered by the collapse of a rocky ledge and a large portion of a glacier.

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helicopter operations were on hold until weather conditions improved.