Nepal-Tibet floods: Death toll reaches 626, nearly 3,000 missing

Nepal's government has appealed for international financial assistance as it grapples with the aftermath of devastating flash floods that have swept away entire communities. The disaster has left families homeless or sheltering in temporary facilities, with at least 626 confirmed deaths and nearly 3,000 people missing.

Infrastructure has been severely damaged, with multiple bridges washed away and major roads disrupted, making it extremely difficult to reach some of the worst-affected areas. The UN Children’s Fund reports that at least 18 schools have been destroyed and another 20 damaged, impacting approximately 10,000 school-age children. This disaster strikes just ahead of the anniversary of last year's anti-corruption protests that led to the toppling of the government.

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Multiple bridges have been washed away and major roads disrupted, leaving some of the worst-affected communities extremely difficult to reach.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have reported a decrease in the risk posed by a glacial lake formed by the recent glacier collapse near the China-Nepal border. Satellite images from Thursday morning indicated that water in the lake, straddling the border, had been slowly flowing through, gradually reducing the reservoir's size. The lake's surface area was reported to be 99,000 square meters, a reduction of 21,000 square meters from the previous day.

Despite the reduced immediate threat from the lake, experts and authorities continue to warn of the extremely high risk of secondary disasters in the valley. The lake, formed by glacier debris, could still pose a danger to rescue operations downstream. China Anneng, a state-owned engineering and rescue enterprise, has dispatched a team with drones and surveillance equipment to monitor the lake. An overflow from the lake on Friday had temporarily halted rescue work, underscoring the ongoing risks.

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The risk of a lake formed after the glacier collapse bursting near the China-Nepal border where the devastating flood occurred earlier this week has decreased.