Nepal floods: At least 469 dead, over 1,000 missing as China halts rescue operations over risk of renewed flooding | Today’s news

At least 469 people have been killed and at least 1,000 are still missing in Nepal after catastrophic floods wreaked havoc across the country on Wednesday.

According to Nepali media reports, the flash flood occurred on the Tibetan side of the border before entering Nepal, causing widespread destruction and sweeping away several villages. The floodwaters rushed the Bhote Koshi River around 9am (local time) and hit the border districts of Rasuwa and Dhading along with Nuwakot, southwest of Kathmandu, officials said.

Quick answers to key questions

•5 QUESTIONS

The recent flash floods in Nepal were caused by the collapse of a glacier in Tibet, which led to torrents of water and debris flowing down rivers in Nepal.

The Nepalese government rejected foreign rescue teams due to coordination problems experienced during the 2015 earthquake, opting instead for cash contributions and handling the crisis using its own security agencies.

According to the latest reports, more than 1,500 people, including many foreign nationals, are missing after the catastrophic floods in Nepal.

Authorities have warned of the risk of further flooding due to a lake created upstream that is overflowing and may burst its banks.

Yes, tourists in Nepal should be concerned because the floods have left many people missing and there is still a risk of more floods and debris flows in the affected areas.

Read also | Nepal floods live updates: Nepal Army says working to rescue 100 trapped people

At least 384 passengers, including 291 foreigners and 93 Nepali nationals, are missing after the floods in Rasuwa. Among the missing people are 105 Indian tourists and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs), while the remaining passengers are from the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands.

As rescue teams continue search operations, here are the main updates:

1. According to a Bloomberg report, at least 469 people have been confirmed dead, Nepalese police said. But officials expect the death toll to rise significantly in the coming days after fast-flowing waters swept through villages and destroyed bridges, roads and entire settlements in the Nepal-China border region. More than 1,500 people were reported missing.

2. In a post on X, the Kathmandu Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said there was a possible risk of further flooding on both sides of the border, which could further complicate rescue operations in the remote mountainous region. It warned that the lake could breach its banks: “Downstream residents and all concerned are asked to take the necessary vigilance and remain on high alert. It is estimated that there may be additional lakes in the area.”

Read also | Flash floods in Nepal: What caused the massive mudslide that engulfed Rasuwa district?

3. Both Chinese and Nepalese authorities have warned of further flooding after a lake formed upstream from Wednesday’s disaster and was already overflowing. They also urged people in potentially affected areas to evacuate and move to safer ground. China’s Ministry of Water Resources said Thursday that the lake is holding about two million cubic meters (70 million cubic feet) of water and is expected to receive another three million cubic meters (106 million cubic feet) over the next three days.

4. On Friday (local time), China suspended the rescue operation, citing a high risk of renewed flooding, state media reported. Citing officials, she added: “All rescue teams have been ordered to remain in place and await further instructions.”

5. Nepal’s military said on Friday (local time) that its helicopter rescue teams were working to rescue about 100 people who were trapped in a flooded hydroelectric tunnel. Nepali army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet told AFP: “Our focus is on searching and rescuing people… some people are trapped in the Trishuli 3A hydroelectric project tunnel.” He added: “Two helicopters have been dispatched, but it is challenging because it is difficult to even locate the entry points of the tunnel. Rescue work is also underway to provide the rescued people with what they need.”

6. Citing China’s Ministry of Water Resources, Reuters reported that rain forecast for the weekend will exacerbate the threat. Zhu Jinfeng, a researcher from the Ministry of Water Resources’ hydrology department, told state-run CCTV: “The volume of water is increasing and so is the risk.”

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7. Nepali billionaire Binod Chaudhary, chairman of the Chaudhary Group, told Bloomberg TV that efforts to rebuild the country’s infrastructure after devastating flash floods could cost at least $5 billion. He said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if the eventual costs got to that level,” adding: “It’s not just about the money, but the amount of time it takes and the difficult geography.”