Nepal is grappling with one of its worst recent natural disasters after devastating flash floods swept through Rasuwa district and other parts of central Nepal, leaving at least 623 people dead and thousands unaccounted for.
According to Nepali police, the death toll in Nepal had reached 616 by Saturday, three days after the disaster. Chinese state media separately reported seven deaths, taking the combined reported toll to at least 623.
The scale of the disaster has triggered a major search-and-rescue operation, with authorities continuing to look for people reported missing across Nepal and neighbouring Tibet.
India Sends 11-Member Rescue Team To Nepal
As Nepal expands its relief operations, an 11-member Indian team reached the country on Saturday to assist in rescue and emergency response efforts.
The team was deployed following a request from the Nepalese government and includes medical professionals and specialists experienced in tunnel rescue operations. The Indian personnel are expected to assist local authorities in some of the areas worst affected by the floods.
Rescue workers are facing difficult conditions as they search through damaged settlements and infrastructure across mountainous terrain.
Thousands Still Missing After Massive Flooding
The floods struck on Wednesday and caused widespread destruction across Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal.
Homes, bridges, roads and hydropower facilities were damaged or swept away by the powerful flow of water and debris. Reports indicate that nearly 2,500 people remain missing in Nepal and Tibet, where the disaster originated.
The continuing search has been complicated by rugged terrain, damaged transport links and challenging weather conditions.
Nepal Opens Door To Foreign Rescue Assistance
In a major shift, Nepal has now agreed to accept limited foreign assistance for search-and-rescue operations.
The decision came after growing international pressure, particularly from countries whose nationals are among those missing.
“We received massive pressure from the international community to allow at least search-and-rescue teams and some experts because their citizens have also gone missing in the floods,” a senior Nepalese government official was quoted as saying by The Kathmandu Post.
The official said Nepal would permit a limited number of foreign experts to work in designated areas.
Nepal had initially maintained that its own security forces and government agencies were capable of managing rescue operations. While the government later sought international financial support for relief and reconstruction, it had continued to reject the need for foreign rescue teams.
The latest move reflects the growing scale of the emergency and the increasing number of missing people, including foreign nationals.
Nepal Seeks India, China Help To Rebuild 42 Bridges
The Nepalese government has also approached India and China for assistance in rebuilding 42 Bailey bridges destroyed or damaged by the floods.
Bailey bridges are prefabricated structures that can be installed relatively quickly and are particularly useful in disaster-hit mountainous regions where conventional construction can take considerably longer.
Restoring these bridges is expected to be crucial for reconnecting isolated communities and allowing rescue teams and relief supplies to reach affected areas.
Glacial Collapse Believed To Have Triggered Flash Flood
The disaster appears to have been driven by a sudden glacial collapse in the Himalayan region rather than conventional monsoon rainfall alone.
A large mass of glacier and rock reportedly collapsed near the Nepal-China border, sending an enormous mixture of ice, rocks and debris into the Lhende Khola river.
The surge then entered the Bhote Koshi River, generating a powerful flash flood that moved through Rasuwa and downstream areas.
The collapse also reportedly created temporary debris-blocked water bodies, raising fears that another sudden release could trigger additional flooding.
Scientists have warned that rapid warming across the Hindu Kush Himalaya could increase the risk of glacier-related disasters. Rising temperatures can accelerate ice melt and destabilise permafrost and mountain slopes, potentially increasing the likelihood of sudden collapses and glacial lake-related hazards.
