Nepal floods death toll reaches 543 as more than 1,200 remain missing
The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Nepal and China has risen to 543, while 1,281 people, including 856 foreigners, remain missing, according to figures released by authorities in the two countries.
Nepal reported 538 deaths from Wednesday’s disaster, while China confirmed two additional fatalities in the southwestern Xizang Autonomous Region, bringing the Chinese death toll to five.
The disaster struck northern and central Nepal early Wednesday, with flash floods and landslides sweeping through communities along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. Homes, bridges and roads were destroyed, while people and debris were carried downstream.
Authorities have warned of further flooding after a large barrier lake formed during the flash floods reportedly breached, sending additional water into Nepal’s river systems.
Foreign nationals make up majority of missing
Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said 596 people from 33 countries remained missing. A further 127 Nepali nationals were unaccounted for, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
China reported that 558 people, including 260 foreigners, remained missing in Tibet as search and rescue operations continued.
The combined figures show that 1,281 people are still missing, including 856 foreign nationals.
India accounts for the largest number of missing foreigners, with 288 nationals unaccounted for. Among them are 73 Indian workers involved in the Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project.
About 93,000 people affected
The International Red Cross said initial estimates indicated that around 93,000 people may have been affected in Nepal, while assessments continued in areas that remain difficult to reach.
Many homes were destroyed or badly damaged, while bridges were washed away and major roads damaged, cutting off some of the worst-hit communities.
The organization said the remoteness of the affected areas and damage to critical infrastructure were complicating efforts to determine the full scale of the disaster and deliver assistance.
In Tibet, hundreds of residents, construction workers and tourists in Gyirong County were evacuated and relocated to safer areas, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.
Nepal begins damage assessment
Nepal’s government has begun assessing the scale of the destruction as rescue and recovery operations continue.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lok B. Chhetri told Anadolu that security agencies were handling the emergency and that requests for specific or specialized international assistance could be made as operations continued.
“Given the massive damage to critical infrastructure, assessments are underway and help needed will be sought as necessary,” Chhetri said.
Authorities have yet to establish the full extent of the disaster as casualty and missing-person figures from different areas continue to be reconciled.
Rescue teams reach isolated communities
The Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been deployed for search, rescue and evacuation operations.
Helicopters are being used to reach isolated communities and evacuate survivors, while ground teams are searching riverbanks and downstream settlements for missing people.
The Nepal Tourism Board is also working to verify the whereabouts of tourists and travelers who were in or traveling through Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading when the floods struck.
Severe damage to roads, bridges and other transport infrastructure has made access to affected areas difficult and is slowing both rescue operations and the delivery of aid.
Source:AA
