Nepal flood death toll nears 700; China reports 7 deaths

The death toll from a devastating flood in Nepal's Bhote Koshi river basin has surged past 675, with Chinese authorities reporting an additional 7 fatalities, bringing the total to 682. The catastrophic event has left nearly 3,000 people missing or unaccounted for across the Nepal-China border, as rescue teams race against time to find survivors.

Authorities are grappling with the grim reality of identifying and burying the deceased. In districts like Nawalparasi East, the saturation of morgues and the rapid deterioration of bodies have forced local officials to begin mass DNA sampling before interring unidentified victims in communal forest areas. Nepal has rescued over 7,500 people, but the search continues for those trapped in mud or cut off by destroyed bridges and roads.

The scale of the disaster is particularly evident among foreign nationals and workers on hydroelectric projects. Nepal's Tourism Board has confirmed 184 tourists rescued alive, with 420 still missing. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reports 933 hydroelectric project workers unaccounted for, alongside 589 foreign citizens.

Adding to the complexity, Nepal has reversed its earlier decision to restrict international rescue teams, now permitting foreign specialists to aid in critical operations like tunnel rescues, forensic identification, and DNA testing. Meanwhile, a significant threat posed by a natural dam formed by flood debris has largely subsided, with the reservoir now "practically emptied" and the river flowing naturally, easing some of the immediate dangers for ongoing rescue efforts.