Kathmandu: The scale of devastation from last week’s flash floods along the Nepal-China border continues to grow, with the combined death toll reported at 955 by Nepali and Chinese authorities. Officials say another 4,471 people remain unaccounted for across the two countries as rescue and recovery operations continue.
The disaster has left large stretches of the affected region buried under mud and debris. In Nepal, authorities have begun dealing with hundreds of unidentified bodies, with reports indicating that some victims are being buried in a mass grave as efforts continue to establish their identities.
Rescue teams are also facing a difficult task at hydropower projects, where heavy mud and flood debris have reportedly blocked tunnels and other facilities. More than 900 workers associated with various hydropower projects are still missing, raising fears that the eventual toll could increase further.
The floods have also caused extensive destruction on the Chinese side of the border. In the devastated Gyirong port area, Chinese state media reported that only a single water tower was left standing after floodwaters swept through the region.
Fresh Weather Threat
The rescue effort could face additional challenges as authorities remain alert to further rainfall. Chinese weather officials have forecast rain and unsettled conditions around Gyirong.
Officials are particularly concerned about water levels in a nearby barrier lake. Additional rainfall could increase the lake’s level, potentially creating further risks for already damaged areas and complicating relief operations.
In Nepal, rescuers are working against difficult conditions as they search for people who may still be trapped beneath tonnes of mud. The presence of thick, cement-like sediment has slowed operations and made access to affected sites particularly challenging.
The disaster has devastated communities on both sides of the border, destroying infrastructure and leaving families waiting for information about missing relatives. With thousands still unaccounted for and weather conditions remaining uncertain, authorities continue to race against time in the search for survivors.
