Rescue operations continue across Nepal and China as authorities evacuate stranded people and search for thousands still unaccounted for
The death toll from the devastating flash floods in central Nepal rose to 626 on Saturday, while the number of people missing approached 3,000 as rescue teams continued recovering bodies and searching through affected areas.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said bodies had been recovered from eight districts, with the highest toll reported in Chitwan, followed by Nawalparasi East, Nuwakot, Gorkha, Nawalparasi West, Dhading, Tanahu and Rasuwa.
The disaster has also triggered fears of a second major flood after a new barrier lake formed near the source of the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa. Chinese authorities have warned that the lake could breach, while cryosphere specialists have also raised concerns over a possible secondary flash flood.
Nearly 2,500 stranded people have been evacuated in Nepal, while rescue operations in the Trishuli region were temporarily halted after heavy rain caused river levels to rise. Residents along the river were also evacuated as a precaution.
Meanwhile, 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu have been rescued and brought back to Delhi, while around 100 Maharashtra pilgrims stranded in Kathmandu were evacuated with assistance from the Bihar government.
The crisis has prompted calls for intensified assistance to stranded Indians. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging stronger rescue and evacuation efforts.
At the same time, 77 Isha Foundation pilgrims remain untraced after losing contact near Gyirong in Tibet. Nepal has also sought Bailey bridges from India and China to restore connectivity after the floods damaged critical road links.
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