Death toll from devastating Nepal-Tibet floods passes 500

The death toll from devastating floods at the Nepal-Tibet border has surpassed 500, with Nepal's police confirming 547 fatalities and 1,473 injuries. Over 4,000 police personnel are actively responding to the disaster, while more than 1,000 individuals remain missing. The Red Cross estimates that 93,000 people across Nepal and China have been directly affected and require urgent humanitarian assistance.

David Fisher, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Nepal, stated that at least 93,000 people are in dire need of aid. Nepal's Disaster Management Authority is monitoring two lakes upstream of the flood zone, with one already overflowing. Rescue teams are conducting a frantic search for survivors following a wall of ice, mud, and rock that collapsed into a mountain river, triggering the catastrophic flash flood.

Helicopters are being used to search for survivors and deliver emergency supplies to towns and valleys cut off by the floods, which have destroyed a road linking Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet. The UAE pledged a $10 million humanitarian aid package to support relief efforts through the UAE Aid Agency, led by President Sheikh Mohamed.

Dr Tareq Al Amiri, chairman of the agency, emphasized that the Emirates will continue to lead support for disaster responses globally. Survivors shared their harrowing experiences, such as Girilal Budhathoki, who lost his wife and child in the floods. His brother, Newall, who survived, expressed gratitude for his brother's survival amidst the devastation.