Nearly 2,500 Missing as Nepal, China Intensify Rescue Efforts

Nearly 2,500 people are missing after flash floods devastated a mountainous region between Nepal and China, with rescue efforts stepped up on both sides of the border. At least 579 deaths have been confirmed, but the total number of missing people has almost doubled from a previous estimate, according to Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. China reported seven deaths and 554 missing.

The catastrophe was triggered by a glacial collapse that sent ice, mud, rocks, and fast-moving water surging through a valley in Nepal, destroying entire settlements. Videos showed desperate attempts to flee as water and debris engulfed buildings, bridges, and vehicles. The floods, resulting from melting glaciers and unstable terrain due to climate change, were described as potentially catastrophic.

Rescue operations are coordinated by Nepalese and Chinese authorities, focusing on locating missing individuals and recovering bodies from affected areas. Nepal has mobilized around 15,000 personnel for difficult rescue missions, including in settlements submerged in sludge and at hydropower projects where workers are trapped. The military has intensified its operations and deployed special teams to collect bodies rapidly.

However, rescue efforts face challenges due to the risk of further flooding, with rivers clogged with mud and debris forming unstable lakes upstream. Authorities are closely monitoring these lakes, some of which could overflow uncontrollably. Prime Minister Balendra Shah denied reports of Nepal rejecting foreign aid, stating that the government is coordinating with India, China, and others.

The country will likely require "a few billion dollars" for recovery, prompting its $45 billion economy to seek international funding for massive reconstruction efforts.