Nepal-Tibet Floods: Death Toll Hits 472 as Over 1,400 People Remain Missing

At least 472 people have died in devastating floods and mudslides along the Nepal-Tibet border, while more than 1,400 others remain missing after a massive surge of water, ice and debris swept through the region.

The disaster struck on Wednesday, destroying homes, bridges and vehicles and leaving large areas inaccessible to rescue teams. Among those missing are trekkers in the Himalayas, foreign tourists and Hindu pilgrims travelling to Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash.

Rescue operations have now been complicated by the threat of further flooding. Nepalese authorities ordered emergency teams to move to safer locations on Friday after receiving reports that a debris dam had burst on the Tibetan side, potentially sending another torrent downstream.

The US Geological Survey said a glacial collapse triggered the disaster, unleashing a huge flow of ice, mud and water. The flooding also created large pools of water, one of which later burst in Tibet, raising fresh concerns for rescuers searching for survivors.

China temporarily halted rescue operations in Gyirong, one of the worst-hit areas of Tibet, because of the renewed danger. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that a lake formed by accumulated debris was overflowing towards areas where rescue workers had been operating.

Rescuers in Nepal are also racing against time to reach more than 100 people believed to be trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project. The Nepalese military said about 350 workers and residents had already been brought to safety, while two helicopters were deployed to assist the operation.

The scale of the disaster has left families desperately searching for missing relatives. Nepalese authorities said 910 people, including 517 foreign tourists, remain out of contact, while India has recovered seven bodies from rivers flowing from Nepal. In Tibet, Chinese authorities reported three deaths and said hundreds remained missing.

Hindu pilgrims travelling to Mount Kailash are among those caught up in the disaster. A Malaysian woman, Logadarrsiny Raman, said she had lost contact with her parents, aunt and uncle, who were travelling with a group of 17 Malaysians. Authorities continue to search for survivors as fears of further flooding threaten to slow rescue efforts.