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

KATHMANDU, Nepal — The death toll from the flash floods in Nepal has climbed to 626, with 2,426 people still missing, as search and rescue operations along the Nepal-China border continue in their fourth day, according to the country's disaster agency. The initial figures had reported 579 deaths and 1,924 missing individuals. In China, seven deaths and 554 people are reported missing in Tibet.

The challenging weather conditions have hampered aerial rescue operations in Nepal on Saturday, while search teams, comprising rescue workers and military personnel, have been operating day and night since the disaster that struck on Wednesday, claiming nearly 600 lives and leaving around 2,500 people missing. Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet, a spokesperson for the Nepali Army, confirmed that helicopter operations are currently suspended due to unfavorable weather conditions. Despite the setbacks, rescue efforts persist at multiple locations in both Nepal and China.