Rescue operations have been disrupted by fears of further flooding as authorities race to locate survivors and recover victims following the devastating disaster along the Nepal-Tibet border.
At least 472 people have died after a massive surge of water, ice, mud and debris swept through communities on Wednesday, destroying homes, bridges and vehicles across parts of Nepal and Tibet.
More than 1,400 people remain missing, including trekkers, foreign tourists and Hindu pilgrims travelling towards Mount Kailash.
Fresh Flood Threat Forces Rescuers To Retreat
Nepal has ordered rescue teams operating in affected areas to move to safer locations after authorities received reports that another debris dam had burst on the Tibetan side of the border.
Nepali police warned rescuers of the possibility of another powerful surge of water and debris and instructed them to immediately withdraw from vulnerable areas.
China also suspended rescue operations in the worst-hit area of Gyirong after authorities warned of renewed flooding.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that a lake formed by huge amounts of debris was overflowing towards areas where rescue teams had been preparing to search for survivors.
Chinese authorities said emergency workers already in the area were ordered to withdraw about one kilometre while teams waited for further instructions.
Glacier Collapse Blamed For Disaster
The US Geological Survey said the disaster was triggered by a massive glacier collapse that sent a huge volume of ice, water, mud and debris downstream.
The resulting torrent travelled through valleys and communities, causing widespread destruction and becoming one of Nepal’s deadliest natural disasters in years.
The disaster is now considered the country’s deadliest since the devastating 2015 earthquake.
Dozens Trapped In Hydropower Tunnel
Rescue teams are also working to reach people trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project.
The Nepali Army said more than 100 people remained trapped in the area, while about 350 workers and residents had already been rescued.
Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said helicopters had been deployed, but reaching the tunnel was difficult because floodwaters and debris had made it difficult to identify the entrances.
Some survivors said being inside tunnels was what saved their lives when the flood struck.
One worker, Buddha Tamang, said he survived because he was inside a tunnel at the dam where he worked.
He said senior workers on the other side were swept away by the flood.
Families Desperately Search For Missing Relatives
As rescue efforts continue, families have been moving between hospitals and emergency centres searching for missing relatives.
Kula Priya, whose eldest son remains missing, said the flood destroyed her family’s homes.
She said she was not concerned about losing her possessions and only wanted her son to be found.
“I don’t care for wealth. I just want my son back,” she said.
Foreign Tourists Among Those Missing
Nepal’s authorities said 910 people, including 517 foreign tourists, remained out of contact.
Indians make up the largest group among the missing foreign nationals, while the United States said about 90 of its citizens were still unaccounted for.
Across the border in Tibet, Chinese authorities have reported three deaths and hundreds of people missing, although access to the affected region remains heavily restricted for foreign journalists.
Authorities said they had evacuated hundreds of stranded tourists and Chinese residents from affected areas.
Pilgrims Missing On Mount Kailash Route
The disaster has also affected pilgrims travelling towards Mount Kailash, one of the most sacred sites for Hindus and other religious communities.
Families around the world are waiting for news of relatives who were travelling through the region when the disaster struck.
Logadarrsiny Raman, a 26-year-old Malaysian, said she lost contact with her parents, aunt and uncle, who were part of a group of 17 Malaysians travelling towards the Nepal-China border.
Their travel agency said the group was last contacted on Wednesday morning, shortly before the flood struck the area.
“I’m very anxious,” Raman said. “My only hope is to hear back from them that they are safe.”
With the risk of further flooding still present, rescue teams face a difficult race against time to reach those trapped, locate missing people and recover victims from the devastated region.
