Nepal, China flood death toll crosses 500 as lake poses new threat

Nepal and China experienced catastrophic flash floods that killed over 500 people and left more than 1,500 missing. Rescuers worked tirelessly to save survivors caked in dark brown mud, while helicopters lifted stranded people to safety. Experts warned of additional flooding from a newly-formed lake on the Himalayan mountains, which had formed after a glacier collapse triggered the initial floods.

Nepal's army deployed to rescue over 100 people trapped in a tunnel at a hydropower plant, while the country's death toll rose to 547. In China, five people were reported dead, with more than 3,700 rescued, but 977 remain unaccounted for. Authorities in both countries issued alerts for further flooding from the newly-formed lake.

Hundreds of the missing are foreigners working, trekking, or visiting a sacred peak. Nepali police and Chinese broadcaster CCTV reported information about a dam bursting on the Chinese side, but it's unclear if this is related to the lake's overflow. Rescue workers faced challenges accessing the disaster zone due to thick mud and potential more torrents of water and debris.