Rescue work intensifies as death toll in China-Nepal disaster approaches 1,000
Rescuers from China and Nepal continued searching landslide- and flood-affected areas on Monday while efforts to reopen roads to the heart of the disaster-hit area at Gyirong Port entered a “critical stage”. The death toll in Nepal had risen to 903 as of 9am on Monday, with 4,247 people still missing, according to data released by the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management…
A massive mudslide triggered by a glacier collapse in Nepal has left over 900 people dead and thousands missing, with the death toll approaching 1,000 as rescue efforts intensify. The China-Nepal border region is particularly vulnerable, and authorities are warning of further risks of landslides and glacier collapses. The death toll in Nepal has risen to 903, with 4,247 still unaccounted for, while China has reported 16 fatalities and 546 missing.
The disaster was caused by a glacier collapse at Langtang Lirung, located about 5,200 meters above sea level, which led to a surge of ice, floodwater, and rocks. The mudslide traveled 22 kilometers along the valley and reached the Gyirong Port border crossing in just seven minutes. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly, trekking through challenging terrain for hours to reach the affected areas.
High-water marks indicate that floodwaters reached up to 60 meters, and teams continue to search deeper into the debris. Communication efforts have been bolstered, with an emergency base station established near the border crossing. Scientists highlight the challenges of monitoring high-altitude glacial hazards in the remote Himalayan region, emphasizing the need for improved communication systems and early warning mechanisms to mitigate future disasters.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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