The death toll from flash flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen sharply, with hundreds killed and nearly 1,900 people reported missing in Nepal. Rescue efforts have been repeatedly disrupted as a lake formed by landslide debris began overflowing at the flood's epicentre.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- Nepali disaster authorities confirmed 579 deaths in Nepal and five in Tibet as of the latest update.
- The number of missing people in Nepal rose to 1,924, with many reported to be tourists.
- About 100 people remain trapped in a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, according to the Nepali army.
- A lake formed by landslide debris began overflowing, forcing temporary suspensions of rescue work in both Tibet and Nepal's Rasuwa district.
The death toll from the flash flooding that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on Wednesday has risen sharply, with the latest figures from Nepali disaster authorities confirming 579 deaths in Nepal and five in Tibet, according to the Guardian. Earlier in the day, Nepal police had put the toll at 469. The number of people unaccounted for in Nepal jumped by more than 400 to reach 1,924, with many of the missing reported to be tourists.
Rescue teams have been working under increasingly dangerous conditions as a lake formed by landslide debris at the flood’s epicentre began to overflow. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that the lake had started spilling towards the area rescue teams were heading, prompting China to pause its rescue operation in Tibet over fears of renewed flooding, according to the Guardian.
On the Nepali side, authorities also temporarily halted rescue efforts. Residents in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, on the border with Tibet, were seen rushing up hillsides to escape any surge in river levels, according to witnesses cited by the Guardian. An army officer said operations were stopped for at least 90 minutes amid fears of further destruction.
A major focus of the response is the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, where about 100 people are trapped in a tunnel swamped by Wednesday’s flooding. “Our focus is in search and rescue of people … some people are trapped in the tunnel of Trishuli 3A hydropower project,” Nepal army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet told Agence France-Presse.
Basnet said the operation to reach those inside the tunnel has proven difficult. “Two helicopters have been dispatched but it is challenging because it is tough to even locate the entry points of the tunnel,” he told AFP. The army said relief efforts were also under way to provide the rescued people with what they need, while work continued to safely evacuate those still trapped.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Secretariat shared footage showing army personnel rescuing people from the hydropower tunnel, the BBC reported. Rescue efforts resumed later in the day after earlier suspensions, according to the Guardian’s live coverage.
Why it matters
The disaster is one of the deadliest recent flooding events in the Himalayan region, with hundreds confirmed dead and nearly 2,000 missing. The ongoing threat from an overflowing debris lake highlights how cascading hazards can endanger both survivors and rescuers long after the initial flooding.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have died in the Nepal-Tibet flash flood?
Nepali disaster authorities confirmed 579 deaths in Nepal and five in Tibet in the latest update. Earlier in the day, Nepal police had reported a toll of 469.
How many people are missing?
The number of missing people in Nepal rose to 1,924, according to Nepali disaster authorities, with many of the missing reported to be tourists.
Why were rescue operations suspended?
A lake formed by landslide debris at the flood's epicentre began overflowing towards areas where rescue teams were headed. This forced China to pause its operation in Tibet and led to a temporary halt in Nepal's Rasuwa district over fears of renewed flooding.
Timeline
- Nepal races to rescue trapped workers, as flood death toll surpasses 900
Al Jazeera: Nepal officials say rescuers focusing on reaching workers in hydropower project tunnels in flood-stricken region.
- Nepal-Tibet death toll rises amid new flood fears and race to free group trapped in tunnel
The Guardian World: Combined toll of more than 750 dead and 3,000 people missing in Nepal and Tibet after devastating flood ‘Their whole village has disappeared’: frantic hunt for survivors in Kathmandu hospital Rescuers in Nepal and Tibet have battled through leg-sucking mud amid the threat of fres
- Nepal-Tibet flash flood: number of missing people rises to 2,478 – latest updates
The Guardian World: Nepal reverses earlier decision and says foreign teams will be allowed to help with rescue efforts ‘The flood took everything I have’: survivors grieve for relatives and homes swept away in Nepal Visual guide: how the deadly flooding unfolded Tell us: have you been affected by th
- Nepal-Tibet flash flood: number of missing people in Nepal rises to 1,924 – latest updates
The Guardian World: Nepali disaster authority confirms jump of more than 400 in total of those unaccounted for, with 579 deaths confirmed in Nepal and five in Tibet Flood rescue efforts resume Visual guide: how the deadly flooding unfolded Tell us: have you been affected by the flash floods? More no
- Nepal-Tibet flash flood: rescue operations resume after halting over lake overflow; death toll rises to 469 – latest updates
The Guardian World: Operations were suspended amid fears of further destruction; 1,500 people still missing amid race to find survivors Flood risk forces halt to rescues in Tibet, as Nepal death toll rises to 469 Visual guide: how the deadly flooding unfolded Tell us: have you been affected by the f
- Nepal army rescues survivors from hydropower tunnel
BBC World: Nepal's Prime Minister Secretariat shared footage showing army personnel rescuing people from a hydropower tunnel.
- Overflowing lake halts rescue efforts as Nepal-Tibet flood death toll hits 469
The Guardian World: Risk of lake bursting forces rescue teams to withdraw as residents rush up hills to escape any river surge Nepal-Tibet flash flood – latest updates Visual guide: how the deadly flooding unfolded Tell us: have you been affected by the flash floods? A lake formed by a landslide on
- Nepal-Tibet flash flood: helicopter rescue operations suspended as lake overflows; death toll rises to 469 – latest updates
The Guardian World: Operations in Rasuwa in Nepal suspended amid fears of further destruction; 1,500 people still missing amid race to find survivors Flood risk forces halt to rescues in Tibet, as Nepal death toll rises to 469 Visual guide: how the deadly flooding unfolded Tell us: have you been aff
- Nepal-Tibet flash flood: helicopter rescue operations suspended as lake overflows; death toll rises to 469
The Guardian World: Operations in Rasuwa in Nepal suspended amid fears of further destruction; 1,300 people still missing amid race to find survivors Flood risk forces halt to rescues in Tibet, as Nepal death toll rises to 469 Visual guide: how the deadly flooding unfolded Tell us: have you been aff
- Death toll from Nepal-Tibet flood passes 470 as barrier lake threatens
Al Jazeera: Over 1,500 people remain missing as rescue paused near the Nepal-China border amid fears of further flooding.
- Death toll from Nepal-Tibet flood surpasses 470 as barrier lake threatens
Al Jazeera: Over 1,500 people remain missing as rescue paused near the Nepal-China border amid fears of further flooding.
- Flood risk forces halt to rescues in Tibet, as Nepal death toll rises to 469
The Guardian World: Lake has formed at epicentre of flood, forcing rescue teams to withdraw, Chinese state media report Nepal flash flood – latest updates Nearly 1,400 missing, mostly tourists, and hundreds killed Visual guide: how the deadly flooding unfolded Tell us: have you been affected by the
- Rescues suspended on Tibet-Nepal border as flood death toll hits 469
The Guardian World: Lake has formed at epicentre of flood, forcing rescue teams to withdraw, Chinese state media report Nepal flash flood – latest updates Nearly 1,400 missing, mostly tourists, and hundreds killed Visual guide: how the deadly flooding unfolded Tell us: have you been affected by the
- Nepal-Tibet flash flood live updates: China halts rescue at epicentre over flood risk, state media reports; death toll at 469, say Nepali police
The Guardian World: Lake formed by debris is overflowing towards area rescuers were headed, broadcaster says; 1,300 people still missing amid race to find survivors Nearly 1,400 missing, mostly tourists, and hundreds killed Nepal-Tibet flash flood: what we know so far on day three Visual guide: how
- Nepal-Tibet flash flood live updates: death toll has risen to 469, Nepal police say; 100 people trapped in hydropower tunnel, army says
The Guardian World: About 1,300 people including hundreds of tourists still missing as rescuers race to find survivors; Nepali army working to rescue the trapped from tunnel Nearly 1,400 missing, mostly tourists, and hundreds killed Nepal-Tibet flash flood: what we know so far on day three Visual gu