Nepal-China Flash Flood Disaster: Death Toll Rises to 734, Over 3,000 Missing
Al Jazeera Staff
A catastrophic flash flood and landslide triggered by a glacial burst along the Nepal-China border has killed at least 734 people, with over 3,000 missing. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but severe weather and difficult terrain are hampering operations, while fears of a second flood loom.
At least 734 people have been killed in a devastating flash flood and landslide that struck the Nepal-China border region on Wednesday, with over 3,000 still missing, according to officials from both countries.
The disaster was triggered by a glacial burst in the Himalayas along the Nepal-Tibet border, causing violent flash floods and landslides that buried numerous villages and towns along the Trishuli and Bhotekoshi river systems. The floodwaters also swept some bodies into neighboring India.
Over 900 Hydropower Workers Missing
According to the Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal, as of Sunday morning, around 933 people are missing or unaccounted for. These are workers who were employed at 11 hydropower construction sites and tunnels in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, among the worst-hit areas. The workers hold Nepali, Indian, South Korean, and Chinese nationalities.
The Office of the Prime Minister of Nepal stated that after receiving complaints about people trapped in tunnels, the government has prioritized deploying rescue teams, who are working to clear debris to reach the sites. A joint team of 82 personnel—62 Nepali army soldiers and 20 armed police—has been continuously deployed since Saturday evening. However, severe weather is hampering rescue efforts.
The Nepali army has rescued 254 workers from the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project. However, rescue operations at other sites, such as the 22 MW Chilime project in Rasuwa district, have faced obstacles. “The tunnel is full of mud and debris; it's impossible to enter,” said Baburaj Maharjan, CEO of Chilime Hydropower Company, told the Kathmandu Post. India has also sent medical teams and tunnel rescue specialists to assist Nepal.
Challenges in Identifying Victims
The Nepali government faces a significant challenge in storing and identifying bodies. Nepal's foreign minister said the country lacks refrigeration for body preservation and facilities for DNA testing. Unidentified bodies have been sent to 21 hospitals across various districts for preservation.
The latest figures show 2,498 missing in Nepal, including 589 foreigners, 127 accompanying Nepali citizens, 45 soldiers, 27 police officers, and 13 armed police. On the Chinese side, authorities in Tibet reported 16 deaths in Gyirong County and 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries missing, including 104 Nepali, 49 Indian, and many citizens from Latvia, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia.
Nepal has mobilized 19,000 security personnel and 16 helicopters for search and rescue operations. China has also deployed 2,100 rescue workers and spent at least 220 million yuan (USD 32.7 million) on response efforts, using drones and helicopters to drop supplies.
A new concern has emerged as water levels in a newly formed lake caused by landslide debris have risen, forcing a temporary halt to rescue operations on Friday due to fears of a second flash flood. China is closely monitoring this lake upstream, 1 km from the Gyirong border checkpoint, using satellites, radar, and drones, and has pledged to provide rescue teams about a 30-minute warning if conditions deteriorate. Flood warnings remain in effect along rivers in northern Nepal.
Nepal's finance minister estimates damage from the disaster at over USD 4 billion. International organizations such as the United Nations, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Australia, India, South Korea, and the U.S. have sent humanitarian aid to Nepal. Many kilometers of roads and bridges have been destroyed, making access to affected areas still extremely difficult.
