Nepal-Tibet Flash Flood Death Toll Crosses 1,066; Nearly 4,000 Still Missing

Kathmandu: The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet has crossed 1,066, with rescue teams continuing to search for thousands using helicopters, excavators and other heavy equipment. Authorities say around 4,000 people remain untraced, including 583 foreign nationals.

Rescue operations are currently focused on the tunnels of hydropower projects damaged in the floods. Around 900 people are believed to be trapped at various hydropower stations, with around 500 people alone feared trapped inside the tunnel of the Trishuli Hydro Power Plant in Rasuwa district. Indian, Chinese and Nepali forces are conducting a joint search operation at the site.

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah announced that over 11,000 people have been rescued so far, and that electricity and communications have been restored in some areas. Expert teams from China and India are constructing temporary bridges to open access to cut-off regions.

A preliminary assessment by the United Nations Development Programme found that approximately 22 lakh tonnes of debris — including building rubble, rocks and clay — have accumulated as a result of the floods. South Korea has deployed a 44-member emergency disaster response team to Rasuwa to locate nine of its missing nationals. More than $42 million (over Rs 350 crore) in international aid has been received so far for those affected by the disaster.