Nepal rescue op enters fifth day

Over 700 deaths have been confirmed in Nepal following flash floods caused by an ice-rock avalanche, with nearly 2,500 people still missing on the fifth day of the disaster. Rescue efforts have extended to all eight affected districts, with significant casualties reported in Nawalparasi East (158 bodies recovered), Nawalparasi West (75), Gorkha (54), Dhading (49), Nuwakot (41), Tanahun (31), and Rasuwa (13).

Police reported that 1,622 individuals were saved in Nawakot, followed by 676 in Rasuwa and three in Dhading. Medical facilities in the Kathmandu Valley have treated or discharged 140 injured flood survivors. Nepalese authorities deployed 4,854 security personnel to manage the operations and locate the missing. India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the rescue of four Indian nationals trapped in Rasuwa.

Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal denied reports of declining international assistance, stating that the country requires extensive support, including technical teams and long-term reconstruction aid. The government urged citizens to contribute to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. A newly formed second lake from flood debris raises concerns of further flooding, although Chinese authorities stated that the risk of the barrier lake bursting has eased.

China reported seven deaths and 554 people missing in Tibet Autonomous Region due to the same glacial collapse.