Death toll from Nepal-China flash floods at 1,220, nearly 4,800 missing

Islamabad: The death toll from recent flash floods and mudslides on the China-Nepal border has risen to 1,220, with nearly 4,762 people, including 844 foreigners, still unaccounted for, as of Wednesday, according to Anadolu Ajansi citing official data. In Nepal, 1,204 bodies have been recovered since the floods hit on August 26, while 301 were injured and around 4,216 are still missing.

Nepalese authorities reported around 900 personnel from hydropower stations are still missing. Eleven thousand nine hundred and ninety-three people have been rescued, while 21,314 security personnel, including army and police, have been deployed for search and rescue operations. Around 1.6 million people have been affected in Nepal by the floods.

In China, at least 16 people have died, with 546 missing, including 261 foreigners. Road access to the core area of the mudslide-hit Gyirong Port in Tibet, designated as the Xizang Autonomous Region, was restored after days of repair work. Rescue teams, relief supplies, and equipment have entered the rescue area via the repaired road.

A Korean disaster relief team arrived in Nepal to assist in the search. China has also sent experts, drones, DNA testing devices, water-purification equipment, and lighting gear. India has provided DNA analysis experts. The disaster occurred on August 26 when a glacier on Mount Langtang Lirung in Nepal fractured at about 5,200m, causing an ice-rock avalanche that turned into a massive debris flow, devastating several valleys along the border and burying the Gyirong border crossing in southwestern Tibet.