- Nearly 3,000 people are missing. Nepal's disaster agency on Saturday said 2,426 people were missing on its side of the border, while China's Xinhua news agency reports the total number of missing in Tibet is now 554.
- Death toll in Nepal rises to 626; seven confirmed dead in Tibet.
- More than 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal so far but at least 93,000 people are estimated to have been affected by the disaster, according to the Red Cross.
- At least 777 foreigners are missing, with Nepal's disaster agency on Friday reporting 517 foreigners unaccounted for, which could include tourists and foreign workers.
- Glacier collapse near the China-Nepal border triggered a devastating flood, leading to significant casualties and missing persons.
- Poor weather has hampered aerial rescue operations as the search for thousands of missing people enters its fourth day.
- Lake at Purepu Tsangpo river has shrunk to 99,000 sq metres, about the size of 14 football fields, down by 21,000 sq metres compared with Thursday.
- China Anneng dispatched a 15-member team with reconnaissance drones and other equipment to gather more data about the lake, and an overflow on Friday temporarily halted rescue work.
- Nepal's finance minister says the country will need up to $5bn to rebuild after the floods, which are believed to have been caused by a melting glacier.
Rescue operations in Nepal are intensifying as the death toll from catastrophic floods has reached 626, with nearly 3,000 individuals unaccounted for, including 777 foreigners. The floods, triggered by a melting glacier, have left over 93,000 people affected and prompted the government to estimate recovery costs at $5 billion.
The Nepalese disaster agency reported that 2,426 people are missing in Nepal, while 554 are unaccounted for in Tibet, according to China's Xinhua news agency. Rescue efforts have seen more than 3,700 individuals rescued so far, but poor weather conditions have hampered aerial operations.
The floods were caused by a glacier collapse, which led to a massive influx of water cascading into the valleys below. Experts have warned of potential secondary disasters from a lake formed by glacier debris, which could further complicate rescue efforts. Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle stated that the figures for recovery costs are still estimates, as the full extent of the damage is being assessed.
As the search for the missing continues, authorities are deploying advanced technology, including drones and satellite stations, to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of rescue teams.
“The lake formed by glacier debris has shrunk to 99,000 sq metres, about 14 football fields, reducing immediate risk, but experts warn of extremely high secondary disaster danger. Nepal's finance minister estimates rebuilding could cost up to $5bn, with at least 777 foreigners still missing.”
The Guardian
