Death toll from Nepal floods rises to 1,066, over 4,400 missing

Seven days have passed since the devastating Himalayan flood struck Nepal and Tibet, leaving 4,462 people still missing and the odds of finding survivors dwindling. The death toll has risen to 1,066, with 1,050 fatalities in Nepal and 16 in Tibet. Of the missing, 3,916 are Nepalese citizens, including 583 foreigners, while China reports 546 people unaccounted for in Tibet.

Rescue teams have entered a critical phase, with senior officials revealing that finding survivors in the open along the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli corridor has become increasingly unlikely. "Each successful rescue now feels like a miracle," said a senior police officer coordinating ground operations, as teams search through sludge, boulders, uprooted trees, and wreckage.

The sheer force of the flood stripped away settlements and vegetation, depositing deep layers of mud, rock, and timber downstream, leaving few protected spaces where someone could survive for a week. A Nepalese army officer stated, "Our field units and canine squads are covering massive stretches of silt, but the ground reality is exceptionally grim. Anyone caught in the open bore the direct brunt of heavy boulders and torrents."

The remaining hope centers on Nepal's devastated hydropower projects, with NDRRMA listing 639 people associated with hydel projects as missing. Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN) reported 894 people "out of contact" across 11 projects. While many could have been inside tunnels when the flood struck, rescuers have not established the exact count.

Accessing the tunnels has proven challenging, with strong floodwaters blocking passages and collapsing sections. At Upper Trishuli-1, rescuers pushed 160 meters inside before finding the passage blocked, while at Chilime, they reached about 150 meters before encountering a buried steep section. At Upper Trishuli-3A, rescuers used excavators and rock breakers to create an opening, but a rush of water prevented entry.

Indian specialist teams have joined forces with the Nepalese army at Chilime and Langtang, while Chinese tunnel experts are assisting operations at Upper Trishuli-3A. An Indian team has probed up to 185 meters inside the Langtang tunnel, and forensic specialists have been brought in to help identify bodies. Despite the grim conditions, teams continue searching, as the tunnels and underground powerhouses offer a glimmer of hope for survivors amidst the flood's destruction.