Flood Disaster in Nepal and Tibet Leaves 633 Dead and Thousands Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating floods that struck Nepal on Wednesday has risen to 626, Nepalese police said. Meanwhile, at least seven deaths have been confirmed in Tibet.

Authorities’ figures, which continue to be updated, show that the fate of 2,326 people in Nepal remains unknown, including 517 foreign nationals. In China, 554 people are reported missing, including 260 foreigners.

Among those reported missing are 933 employees of the Trishuli 3A hydropower plant, according to Nepal’s Disaster Management Agency. The facility is located near the border with China, and some survivors are believed to be trapped inside its tunnels.

Operations to rescue them are continuing, but the difficult terrain is making it harder for rescue teams to locate the tunnel entrances.

The Red Cross said the disaster has affected as many as 93,000 people who survived the floods.

As time passes, the chances of finding people alive are declining significantly. Emergency teams are facing obstacles in reaching the affected areas, while the difficult situation has also complicated the supply of drinking water and essential goods to residents.

In Tibet, across the border, search-and-rescue operations are being hampered by heavy rainfall, blocked roads, difficult terrain and the possibility of further flooding.

Foreign journalists are not allowed to enter the disaster-hit area in Tibet, so information about developments there is obtained mainly through China’s state media.

The floods in Nepal and Tibet have displaced large quantities of ice and mud, creating sizable lakes. The risk that these lakes could overflow or collapse could cause further flooding and damage, as well as endanger rescue operations and the distribution of humanitarian aid.