‘Chances of survival look slim’: 67 from Maharashtra still untraceable after Nepal flash floods

DEVIGHAT, Nepal: The death toll from floods and landslides in Nepal and China's Tibet has risen to 804, with over 3,300 individuals still missing, according to authorities and local media. In Nepal, 788 bodies have been recovered from flood-stricken areas, and 2,742 people remain unaccounted for, including numerous foreigners. China reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Tibet.

Rescue teams are searching for 2,498 missing persons, comprising 933 hydropower workers, 589 foreign nationals, 127 Nepalis traveling with tourists, and residents from various affected districts.

Nearly 20,000 security personnel have rescued 8,186 people, while helicopters have evacuated 279 hydropower workers and 227 foreigners. Relief efforts include food and essential supplies, medical teams, and government cash aid. The disaster struck the China-Nepal border region on Wednesday when a sudden glacial collapse unleashed a torrent of water and debris through Himalayan valleys, destroying villages and damaging critical infrastructure.

Authorities are struggling to preserve evidence and accommodate the deceased, as hospitals' mortuaries are overwhelmed, and decomposing remains strain resources. The US pledged more than $3.6 million in humanitarian aid for Nepal, providing emergency food for up to 10,000 households. In Nepal, identifying victims is challenging due to the distance floodwaters have carried bodies, and many are mutilated, partial, or severed, making visual recognition difficult.

Recovery has been hindered by the region's rugged terrain, steep mountains, and narrow gorges. Nepal has requested specialized aid for tunnel rescues, survivor detection technology, forensic analysis, and equipment to preserve bodies. An Indian tunnel rescue team has joined efforts. Authorities are monitoring a newly formed lake in the Himalayas, which has significantly reduced its size after natural water release, alleviating concerns of another flood.