Nepal-China flood death toll rises to 919, thousands missing
Rescue teams in Nepal and China continue searching for thousands missing after devastating floods killed hundreds along the border between the two countries.
Key Takeaways
AIThe death toll from last Wednesday’s floods along the Nepal-China border has risen to 919, with 4,793 people reported missing, according to Nepal’s Emergency Management Authority and Chinese media.
Nepal’s emergency agency said on Monday that floods in Nepal alone have left 903 dead and 4,247 missing, while Chinese sources reported 16 deaths and 546 missing on the Chinese side.
Workers trapped, projects halted
The disaster authority noted that at least 933 workers are trapped at around six hydropower projects in Nepal after last week’s flash floods swept through the region.
Rescue teams in both countries are racing against time to locate thousands of missing people after torrents engulfed mountain areas and swallowed entire villages, causing river levels to rise and forming a new lake.
Burial of victims and identification challenges
On Sunday, Nepalese authorities began burying hundreds of recovered bodies after collecting DNA samples, in preparation for handing them over to families and holding traditional funerals once identities are confirmed.
The US Geological Survey revealed that the disaster was triggered by the collapse of a glacier mass, which sent a torrent of water down the Trishuli River towards lower areas.