Kathmandu : Nepal’s death toll from last week’s devastating floods and mudslides has risen to 903, while more than 4,200 people remain missing. The disaster struck on Wednesday along the Nepal-Tibet border, sending a massive torrent of ice, rock, mud and debris through valley towns and villages in Nepal and across the border into China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed authorities to make every possible effort to search for people missing after the disaster and step up rescue and relief operations. The disaster has also severely affected Tibet, where 16 deaths and 546 missing people have been reported by Chinese state media. Nepal’s death toll from last week’s devastating floods and mudslides has risen to 903, while more than 4,200 people remain missing.
Nepal’s disaster authority said 933 people associated with hydropower projects are missing, while rescuers continue clearing mud and rocks to reach those trapped. An Indian tunnel rescue team worked with the Nepali Army at hydropower sites in Chilime and Langtang. Earth-moving machinery and soldiers have been working through the night to clear debris.
The debris entered the Lhende River before surging through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli, ruling out a conventional GLOF. Prime Minister Balendra Shah called the floods an “unprecedented and devastating natural disaster”, with nearly 21,000 security personnel involved in rescue operations. The Red Cross estimates more than 90,000 people were affected, while authorities continue recovering and identifying bodies.
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