Nepal flash floods death toll exceeds 620

Devastating flash floods in the Nepal-Tibet border region have killed at least 626 people, Nepali police said on Saturday. The Chinese state media earlier confirmed that seven were dead on the Tibetan side.

Nearly 2,500 stranded people, including 163 foreigners, were evacuated by rescue teams in Nepal, as search and relief operations continued on the fourth day.

Nepal Flash Floods

The threat of a lake formed after a glacier collapse bursting near the Nepal-Tibet border has decreased, Chinese authorities said as its size appears to have shrunk. Satellite images from Thursday to Saturday morning suggest that water in the lake – straddling the border at the confluence of two rivers – has been slowly flowing through, decreasing the reservoir gradually.

According to the Nepal Army’s Public Relations Directorate, 2,465 people have been evacuated so far, including 163 foreigners — 113 Indians, 26 Chinese, 15 South Koreans, four Germans, two each from Italy and the U.S., and one Omani national.

Rebuilding Efforts

Nepal needs $4 billion to $5 billion for rebuilding after the devastating flood that struck its border areas this week, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said. “This is just an estimate. Loss and damage is being assessed,” he said.

More than ₹2.295 billion has been collected for the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund by Friday night. The Ministry of Finance said the deposits were made to accounts held at 10 different commercial banks.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Shisir Khanal, has stated that the country needs foreign help in specialized and technical areas.

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The Mugling-Kathmandu highway, a major road link connecting the capital with other parts of the country, resumed operations on Saturday after being closed since Wednesday due to the risk of flooding and landslides.

Search and Rescue Operations

Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams working to locate thousands of people still missing. Over 3,000 people are still missing in Nepal.

In an area home to vast energy infrastructure projects, 191 workers were evacuated from tunnels of various hydropower projects in Trishuli and Rasuwa.

Rescue operations have been temporarily suspended due to heavy rainfall worsening weather conditions in Trishuli, preventing helicopters from taking off.

India has stepped up monitoring of its Himalayan regions bordering China and Nepal.

Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel expressed gratitude towards India for support and solidarity following the devastating flash flood.