Nepal says death toll in flash floods climbs to 626 with 2,426 people missing in the country

KATHMANDU, Nepal — The death toll from flash floods has risen to 626, with 2,426 people still missing, according to Nepal's disaster agency. This comes as search-and-rescue operations along the Nepal-China border have been ongoing for four days. Previously, the figures stood at 579 dead and 1,924 missing. China has reported seven deaths and 554 people missing in Tibet.

The poor weather conditions have hindered aerial rescue operations in Nepal on Saturday, as the search for hundreds of missing individuals in the areas devastated by catastrophic flash floods along the border with China has entered its fourth day. Rescue workers and military personnel have been tirelessly working day and night since the disaster on Wednesday, which claimed nearly 600 lives and left around 2,500 people missing.

While some survivors have been rescued from the mud, crews continue searching several locations for those still missing. However, Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet, a spokesperson for the Nepali Army, announced that helicopter operations are on hold until the weather conditions improve. Search and rescue efforts are still underway at various locations in both Nepal and China.