Rescuers dig into tunnel as missing toll from Nepal, China flood tops 3,000

Rescuers in Nepal and China raced through muck and the looming threat of more flooding to locate the thousands who went missing after a catastrophic flood and debris flow swept through the Himalayas, wiping out villages. According to the latest tally from both nations, 3,044 people remain unaccounted for, with 750 confirmed fatalities, and reports suggest bodies may have traveled as far as India.

The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse on Wednesday morning near the Nepal-China border, saw a wall of water and debris rush downstream, according to the US Geological Survey. Chinese rescuers were temporarily relocated after a new lake formed from a landslide at the affected port, as reported by state media.

Nepali forces and engineers were working on Sunday to rescue workers potentially trapped in a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydroelectric site. They had successfully inserted a pipe into the passage and were now sending air through the small opening. The Nepal Home Minister, Sudan Gurung, reported that the rescue efforts had started.

Overcast skies and rising river levels hampered rescue attempts early on Sunday, causing the excavation site to flood before conditions improved enough to resume the search. The area is home to significant energy infrastructure projects, and Nepal's disaster authority listed 933 hydropower workers among the missing.

Chinese state media reported that a glacier on the southern slope of Lirung Peak in Nepal had fractured, leading to an ice-rock avalanche that triggered the devastating flood. The torrent traveled over 20 kilometers before crashing into Gyirong Port. UN Climate Chief Simon Steill described the sudden glacial collapse and flash flood as a stark reminder of the fragility of mountain environments.

Survivors now face a long wait to learn about the fate of their missing loved ones and the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from scratch. Buddhi Ram Dangol, speaking to AFP in Nepal’s Nuwakot district, said that all settlements near the river were swept away, leaving nothing behind. At a rescue hub in Bidur, relatives anxiously scanned lists of rescued individuals, desperately searching for their missing family members.

Nearly 589 foreigners, including trekkers and Hindu pilgrims heading to Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash, were still unaccounted for. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched an emergency appeal for $31 million in aid, while the United States and Canada pledged $3.6 million each, the United Kingdom offered $6.8 million, and the European Union committed $2.3 million.