Nepal flash floods death toll rises to 626 as over 2,400 remain missing

Nepal’s flash flood death toll rose to 626 on Saturday, while more than 2,400 people remained missing. Nearly 2,500 people have been evacuated as thousands of security personnel continue rescue operations amid fears of further flooding in central Nepal

Kathmandu: The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal surged to 626 on Saturday as rescue teams continued search and relief operations in a race against time.

While nearly 2,500 people have been evacuated, more than 2,400 are still missing.

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An ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent a torrent of water, mud and debris downstream through central Nepal on Wednesday, devastating towns and villages, washing away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, and damaging hydropower projects.

Rescuers continued search operations amid fears of another wave of flooding following a rise in water levels in the Bhotekoshi River.

According to the latest update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 626 people have been reported dead in Nepal.

The disaster also left seven people dead on the Chinese side, according to Tibet’s emergency management department.

More than 11,000 security personnel, including over 5,000 Nepal Army personnel, have been mobilised for search and rescue operations.

An 11-member Indian team comprising medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts also arrived in Nepal to assist local authorities.

According to the Nepal Army’s Public Relations Directorate, 2,465 people have been evacuated so far, including 163 foreigners.

The foreigners include 113 Indians, 26 Chinese, 15 South Koreans, four Germans, two Italians, two Americans and one Omani national.

As many as 191 workers were evacuated from tunnels at various hydropower projects in Trishuli and Rasuwa, it said.

Of those evacuated, 2,265 were rescued by helicopters, while 200 were evacuated through land routes.

Emergency health centres set up at Dhunche and Trishuli have so far provided medical assistance to 1,706 people evacuated from different flood-hit areas, it said.

Meanwhile, the Mugling-Kathmandu highway, a major road link connecting the capital with other parts of the country, resumed operations on Saturday, Nepal Police said in a notice. The highway had remained closed since Wednesday due to the risk of flooding and landslides.

National highways and several major road sections in central Nepal have remained obstructed for the past four days due to the risk of floods and landslides.

The NDRRMA on Friday issued a warning about another flood in the area as water levels rose at the site of Wednesday’s flash flood.

“The water level mixed with mud has increased at the same place where the flash flood occurred on Wednesday, and there is a risk of more flooding in the area,” the NDRRMA said.

Hospitals remained crowded with flood victims receiving treatment, while outside, anxious families and relatives gathered in large numbers, searching for information about loved ones still missing after the disaster.