Nepal flood death toll rises to 1,357, thousands missing

Nearly two weeks after an Aug 26 disaster, Nepal's death toll from devastating floods has risen to 1,357, with 5,326 people still unaccounted for, the country's disaster authority reported. China reported 43 deaths and 519 missing, raising the overall toll to 1,400 dead and 5,845 missing. Rescue efforts have been ongoing for 14 days following the glacial and mountain collapse near the China-Nepal border, which destroyed roads, bridges, and homes.

Nepali rescuers are focusing on three hydropower projects where trapped workers may still be present, with two Nepalis rescued on Friday and a Chinese man on Saturday. Rescue operations are being aided by foreign experts from China, India, and South Korea. Stranded individuals are reported to be located higher up the hill. Mortuaries are filling up, and hundreds of bodies have been buried in mass graves, with DNA samples collected for future identification.

While the exact cause of the glacial collapse remains unclear, climate change is accelerating glacial melt globally, increasing the risk of such disasters. Nepal, a rural nation of 30 million people with minimal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, has estimated reconstruction costs in the billions of dollars. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies highlighted the challenge of reaching isolated communities due to narrow, dangerous access routes, emphasizing that every delay prolongs the urgent need for support for affected families.