Devastating scale of Himalayan floods comes into focus as rescuers arrive

Three days after a catastrophic wall of water, mud and rock tore through Nepal's Himalayan valleys, the full extent of the disaster is still becoming clear. At least 579 people are confirmed dead, and nearly 2,000 remain missing. Authorities are monitoring lakes formed by the glacier collapse, fearing further flooding. Stephanie Sy reports on the ongoing crisis.

Nepalese authorities have confirmed at least 579 deaths, with nearly 2,000 still unaccounted for. China's casualty situation remains unclear. Amid fears of more flooding, authorities are closely watching lakes created by landslides. Stephanie Sy begins our coverage of the unfolding disaster in Nepal.

In Nepal, the violent floods left the Trishuli River swollen with gray mud. Residents fled to higher ground, crying out in grief and trauma. Police warned against approaching the river. Evacuated residents described the mud filling their homes and the difficulty of evacuating, especially for the elderly. Suraj Sigdel, the Nepal country director for Mercy Corps, expressed the severity of the situation, noting the challenges posed by the ongoing monsoon season.

Search operations were paused due to new flood alerts. The lakes formed by the landslide were filled with debris, posing a high risk of additional flooding. Sigdel, who has witnessed numerous disasters, described this one as particularly devastating. He warned that erratic rains could cause further destruction in the affected areas.

The dramatic images from Wednesday's disaster speak volumes. Construction workers at a hydroelectric dam fled as a wave of water and earth rushed toward them. Nepal's army has rescued 350 people from a tunnel underneath a hydropower plant, but over 100 remain trapped inside. Chinese state media showed Premier Li Qiang visiting the flood zone in Tibet, where emergency crews used inflatable rafts to reach those in need.

Despite international offers for assistance, Nepalese officials maintain their in-country rescuers are sufficient. Sigdel explained that Nepal's army is well-equipped and capable of handling the situation without international intervention. The U.N., India, South Korea, and the U.K. have pledged financial aid, with the U.S. State Department sending $500,000 in assistance. The Red Cross estimates that over $30 million is required for the response.

Scientists now believe the bedrock beneath the Himalayan glacier collapsed, causing the massive rock to plummet more than half a mile and shatter into the valley's rivers. This event unleashed deadly force into villages. Sigdel firmly believes this was a climate-induced disaster, expressing deep frustration over the disproportionate impact of climate change. Survivors' stories of resilience also emerged, including a mother who found both her injured children after a harrowing search through the jungle.