Catastrophic flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border have left 691 people dead and more than 3,000 missing, according to the latest figures, as bad weather temporarily halted aerial rescue operations.
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Key facts
- Combined death toll in Nepal and Tibet rose to 691, with more than 3,000 people missing.
- Nepal's disaster agency reported 675 dead and 2,498 missing as of late Saturday.
- Chinese authorities reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Tibet.
- Poor weather temporarily hampered aerial rescue operations in Nepal on Saturday.
- Nepal has requested foreign help with body identification, storage, DNA testing and rescuing people from tunnels.
The number of people missing after catastrophic flash floods along the border between Nepal and China has risen to more than 3,000, according to the Guardian, as bad weather slowed the search for survivors. The combined death toll across Nepal and Tibet stood at 691.
Poor weather temporarily hampered aerial rescue operations in Nepal on Saturday, the Guardian reported, as teams continued to search areas devastated by the flooding along the border.
The updated figures were drawn from separate reports by authorities in both countries. Nepal’s disaster agency said late Saturday that its death toll had climbed to 675, with 2,498 people missing. Chinese authorities reported 16 deaths and 546 missing in Tibet in their latest update on Sunday.
Nepal has requested foreign help with several aspects of the disaster response, according to the Guardian. That includes assistance with the identification and storage of bodies, DNA testing, and rescuing people trapped in tunnels.
The scale of the missing figure underscores the difficulty facing rescuers in the mountainous border region, where flash floods swept through communities and infrastructure. Aerial operations, key to reaching cut-off areas, remain vulnerable to the weather conditions that disrupted them on Saturday.
As search efforts continue on both sides of the border, the combined totals reflect an evolving picture, with figures updated by Nepalese and Chinese authorities as more information becomes available.
Why it matters
The disaster is one of the deadliest recent flooding events in the Nepal-China border region, with the number of missing far exceeding confirmed deaths. Bad weather and the need for foreign assistance highlight how difficult it is to reach affected areas, meaning the human toll could still rise significantly.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have died and how many are missing?
The combined toll across Nepal and Tibet was 691 dead and more than 3,000 missing. Nepal reported 675 dead and 2,498 missing, while China reported 16 dead and 546 missing.
What is slowing the rescue effort?
According to the Guardian, poor weather temporarily hampered aerial rescue operations in Nepal on Saturday as the search continued.
What help has Nepal requested?
Nepal requested foreign help with the identification and storage of bodies, DNA testing, and rescuing people from tunnels.
Timeline
- Number of missing in Nepal and Tibet rises to 3,000 as bad weather hampers search
The Guardian World: Nepal requests foreign help in identification and storing of bodies, DNA testing and rescuing people from tunnels Visual guide: how the deadly flooding unfolded Nepal-Tibet flash flood – latest updates Poor weather temporarily hampered aerial rescue operations in Nepal on Saturd