Nepal warns of possible fresh flooding as death toll rises to at least 800

Authorities in Nepal issued fresh flood warnings on Sunday, urging residents in affected districts to remain vigilant following rising water levels in the Bhotekoshi River. Rescue crews were working to clear a major highway linking Kathmandu to areas devastated by Wednesday's catastrophic floods, which claimed at least 800 lives and left over 3,000 people missing in Nepal and Tibet.

The warning came after Chinese authorities alerted their Nepalese counterparts about increased water flow upstream. While a lake high in the mountains had largely drained, a nearby crater holding 1.4 million cubic meters of water remained a concern.

Nepal's disaster agency reported the death toll had risen to 788, with 2,502 people still missing, while Chinese authorities cited 16 deaths and 546 missing on the Chinese side of the border. Among the missing were hundreds of foreigners from over a dozen countries who were in the region for various reasons. In Dhading, one of the worst-hit regions, some residents began returning to their homes to salvage what they could from the ruins.

At a severely damaged power plant serving 20,000 people, workers began inspecting the facilities to assess the extent of the destruction. In Galchhi, residents sought higher ground as the river roared past, warning others off with whistles. Flooded homes, vehicles, and farm tractors were visible amid the thick sediment covering villages. Power lines lay tangled in the mud, leaving many without electricity.

Residents expressed the challenges they faced, carrying elderly family members and managing constant alarms despite ongoing rain. The floods began after a glacial collapse triggered a rockfall registering as a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, swelling rivers in the valleys and causing widespread destruction. Nepal's foreign minister called for a global response to climate change, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on Nepal despite its minimal contribution to global emissions. Malaysia pledged search-and-rescue assistance and $1 million in financial aid to Nepal.