Nepal races to rescue 100 trapped in tunnel while China pauses border op as fresh floods threaten

KATHMANDU, Aug 28 - Nepali soldiers rushed to rescue 100 people trapped in a tunnel two days after deadly floods, as fresh flooding loomed over China's Tibet region. Rescue teams have recovered 472 bodies after a tsunami-like wall of freezing water and mud swept through Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, burying homes, destroying bridges and sweeping away vehicles.

Over 1,400 are missing, including trekkers in the Himalayas and Hindu pilgrims heading to the sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet. Scientists attribute the disaster to a glacial collapse, a threat exacerbated by climate change. The Nepali military is attempting to rescue survivors from the Trishuli 3A hydropower project tunnel, but locating the entry points remains challenging.

China halted its rescue operation in Tibet due to the flood risk, while Nepal's emergency workers face the looming threat of new floods as water trapped by debris in the valley may burst forth.