A massive flash flood along the Nepal-China border has left 676 people dead and nearly 3,000 missing, as rescue teams pressed ahead with search and evacuation efforts for a fourth day. Heavy rain and severe weather have slowed helicopter operations, deepening anxiety among residents and families waiting for news.
Nepal’s disaster authorities said Saturday that 669 people have been confirmed dead in Nepal and 2,426 remain missing. Chinese state media reported 7 deaths and 554 missing in Tibet’s Gyirong area. Taken together, the toll across both sides of the border stands at 676 dead and about 2,980 missing.
Nepali officials said more than 3,700 people have been rescued so far. Search teams and military personnel are combing mud-covered sites and destroyed villages, while helicopters are moving stranded residents to safer areas and delivering relief supplies. In hard-hit Nuwakot, helicopters brought in boxes and bags of clothing, instant noodles, snacks and rice, while evacuees were flown out from flood zones.
Rescue efforts have focused on areas around the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower construction site in Rasuwa district and the Gyirong border checkpoint on the Chinese side. Survivors have reportedly been rescued with little more than the clothes they were wearing, and military crews have been evacuating elderly women and infants as the search continues.
