Nepal flash flood latest updates: Death toll crosses 400, China warns of another tragedy | World News

Here is what we know so far about the disaster:

1. 01
   

   How the deadly flash flood hit Nepal

   The flood came in suddenly and tore through areas along the Nepal-China border on Wednesday after a surge of water, rock, ice and mud swept through Himalayan river systems. The worst-hit areas in Nepal included Timure and Syaphrubesi in Rasuwa district, along the Bhotekoshi River. The torrent destroyed buildings, roads and bridges before rushing downstream into the Trishuli river system.

   On the Chinese side, the Gyirong border crossing was also hit by enormous torrents of muddy water and debris. Videos from the area showed water rapidly engulfing structures and sweeping through the border complex.

2. 02
   

   Current death toll and missing reports

   Nepal’s confirmed death toll stood at 469, as per PTI’s latest report, with bodies recovered from several districts. At least 517 foreign nationals remain missing, including 178 Indians, 65 Americans, 53 Ukrainians, 51 Malaysians, 33 Britons, 35 Australians and 25 Canadians, according to The Kathmandu Post. China has separately reported at least 100 of its nationals out of contact.

   The toll is expected to rise as relief and rescue teams scour through the debris.

3. 03
   

   Fresh flood warning in Nepal

   Nepal on Friday issued a fresh flood warning after water levels rose at the site of flash flood in Rasuwa earlier this week. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the rising water, mixed with mud, had increased the risk of another flood in the area. Nepal Police separately warned that a water dam on the Tibetan side had burst again.

   The latest warning follows concerns over a new barrier lake near the Nepal-China border. Chinese authorities told Nepal that about 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake, with another 3 million cubic metres potentially flowing into it over the next three days, raising fears of a possible breach and downstream flooding.

4. 04
   

   Where exactly has the lake formed?

   The barrier lake has formed near the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo river in Nepal.

   Both rivers are from Tibet and merge before entering Nepal, where the river becomes known as the Bhotekoshi. As per reports, a breach could affect more communities and infrastructures there further downstream along the river system.

5. 05
   

   Balen Shah government’s efforts

   Nepal has deployed helicopters and emergency teams to search for the missing, evacuate survivors and deliver supplies to isolated communities.

   Authorities have restricted movement along vulnerable highways and moved residents away from areas at risk of further flooding.

   Prime Minister Balendra Shah visited the affected areas and said government agencies were operating at full capacity, with the immediate priorities being saving lives, locating missing people, treating the injured and providing relief to affected families.

6. 06
   

   What help is coming from other countries?

   Countries whose nationals are among the missing have begun offering assistance and deploying rescue teams. India, Australia and South Korea are among those sending aid and personnel. The United States has also offered support. The international response is likely to intensify as authorities are trying to find out the whereabouts of hundreds of foreign nationals who are still missing.

   But according to Kathmandu Post reports, Nepal has turned down offers of foreign search-and-rescue teams from the countries who have offered help, saying its own security agencies are capable of handling the operation.

7. 07
   

   Why are rescuers struggling?

   Mud, boulders and debris have buried roads and blocked access to some of the worst-hit settlements. Helicopters are being used to search for survivors and deliver emergency supplies to communities cut off by the floods.

   Rescue workers, including teams with sniffer dogs, have also been searching downstream for people swept away by the torrent. Chinese rescuers had yet to reach the worst-hit section around the Gyirong border crossing as access roads remained blocked by debris, according to Reuters’ reports.

8. 08
   

   China suspends rescue operations in Tibet

   China has temporarily suspended rescue efforts in Tibet after heavy rain raised concerns that a debris-dammed lake could burst and trigger further flooding. More than 550 people have been reported missing on the Tibetan side, including around 260 foreign nationals.