Nepal, Tibet floods kill 804, thousands missing, bodies buried temporarily

A massive flood in the Himalayan region along the Nepal-China border resulted in over 800 deaths, with the number of missing people exceeding 3,000. Authorities from both countries are actively searching for the missing, focusing on the retrieval and identification of bodies. According to sources, including AP, Reuters, and Nepali media, the total death toll stands at a minimum of 804, with 3,048 people still missing.

Among the fatalities, Nepal has reported at least 788 deaths, with 2,502 people still missing (592 of whom are foreign nationals). In Tibet's Qinghai Province, 16 deaths and 546 missing individuals (261 of whom are foreign nationals) have been recorded. As the search continues, hundreds of communities are being mobilized for rescue and burial efforts, and temporary storage facilities have been set up for unidentified bodies.

Nepal's government has requested international assistance, including frozen storage facilities and DNA testing equipment, to aid in the identification process and prevent potential corruption during the search. They have also promised to return the remains to the families once identified, followed by a traditional Hindu burial. Additionally, authorities are working to rescue workers trapped inside hydroelectric power plants.

Earlier this week, a Nepalese military rescue team attempted to drill into the Tlisili Power Plant (3A) tunnel to provide ventilation and install pipes. However, no survivors or signs of life have been confirmed yet. The government estimates that the recovery process will cost between $40 billion and $50 billion, accounting for about 10% of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

International aid has been pledged, with the United States contributing over $360 million, Canada providing $500 million, the European Union allocating $200 million, the United Kingdom offering $500 million, Malaysia donating $100 million, the United Nations contributing $250 million, the International Red Cross (IFRC) committing $100 million, and the Asian Development Bank approving $500 million in emergency non-repayable assistance.

Meanwhile, South Korea's joint rapid response team and DBS Real Estate attempted to use two charter helicopters to search for 9 missing South Koreans, but their request was denied by the Nepalese government due to safety concerns and air traffic congestion.