Nepal Floods Death Toll Rises To 547, Over 1,500 Reported Missing

The death toll from flash floods in Nepal rose to 547 on Friday, with more bodies recovered as search and rescue operations continued cautiously amid fears of further flooding. Rising water levels in the Bhotekoshi River area, where a devastating flash flood struck earlier this week, raised concerns about another possible flood, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

More than 1,500 people have been reported missing across Nepal and neighbouring Tibet following devastating floods and landslides. Rescue workers are continuing to search areas cut off by damaged roads, destroyed bridges and thick layers of mud. Nepalese authorities have reported at least 547 deaths, while China has recorded five deaths in Tibet.

Foreign Nationals Remain Missing Amid Floods

The number of missing foreign nationals remains fluid as officials reconcile lists compiled by tourism agencies, local authorities, security agencies and foreign governments.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that around 320 Indian nationals remain unaccounted for in the affected areas. The ministry also said 96 Indians had crossed into Nepal by land, while at least 400 Indians stranded on the Chinese side of the border were reported to be safe.

Glacier Collapse Triggered Massive Flood Near Border

A massive flood on Wednesday, apparently triggered by a glacier collapse, swept through the Himalayan border region between Nepal and China, destroying roads, bridges and infrastructure around the Gyirong border area. 

The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, which resumed after an improvement in India-China relations, has brought a large number of Indian pilgrims to Tibet. Several pilgrims were reportedly at the immigration facility near the Nepal-Tibet border when the flooding occurred. As a result, India's figures cover people in the wider affected border region and may differ from the lists maintained separately by Nepal and China. The MEA had reported around 290 Indians unaccounted for on Thursday; that figure rose to about 320 on Friday.