A desperate search for survivors following Nepal’s devastating flash floods has faced another setback after a newly formed lake near the Nepal-Tibet border began overflowing, raising fears of another deadly flood surge.
At least 587 people have died and nearly 1,500 remain missing on the Nepal and Tibet sides of the border after flash floods tore through central Nepal on Wednesday. The disaster was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the border. The resulting torrent of water, mud and debris swept away houses, vehicles, roads and bridges, while entire settlements were buried.
NEPAL FLASH FLOODS: LATEST UPDATES
Chinese authorities temporarily halted rescue operations on Friday after a barrier lake, formed by debris from a glacier collapse, began overflowing. Located around 10 km from Gyirong port, the lake contains more than 2 million cubic metres of water. Rescue operations later resumed after authorities assessed the flood threat as “manageable”.
Nepal’s government has issued another warning for areas along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers after water levels increased. Rescue teams, relief workers and residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to move to safer locations immediately if the situation deteriorates.
The extent of the destruction has made rescue efforts extremely challenging. Floodwaters have destroyed roads and bridges, while homes, markets, agricultural land and government buildings have been buried beneath thick layers of mud and debris. Several remote communities remain inaccessible.
The Ministry of External Affairs said at least 21 Indian nationals rescued during the crisis have returned to Delhi on an IndiGo flight. Around 320 Indian nationals and 100 people of Indian origin are still uncontactable. Nearly 400 Indians stranded on the Chinese side are safe, while 93 Indian nationals have crossed into Nepal from Tibet. India is also preparing a third relief flight carrying around 12-13 tonnes of supplies, including portable generators, medical equipment and solar lamps.
At least 28 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh who travelled to Nepal on August 21 for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra are expected to return home on Friday after safely completing their pilgrimage, according to PTI. The group narrowly crossed a flood-hit area near an immigration office before the waters reached the location. All the pilgrims were reported to be safe and unharmed. They will travel from Nepal to Delhi before taking separate flights to Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and other destinations in Andhra Pradesh.
Satellite images have identified two lakes near the site of the glacial collapse in Nepal, prompting authorities to closely monitor the possibility of further flooding. One of the lakes began overflowing on Friday, while officials warned that the threat could remain until both lakes have completely drained. Despite limited access to satellite imagery, Nepal is using available data and plans to install cameras and sensors downstream, including near Timure.
The Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects and other electricity infrastructure have also suffered damage. At the Trishuli-I project, the Nepal Army rescued around 350 workers and staff who had become trapped inside a tunnel. However, more than 100 people are still believed to be trapped at the site.
Nepalese authorities have reported 910 missing people, while officials in Tibet have reported another 558. The combined number of missing people on both sides of the border now stands at 1,468.
The head of Nepal’s Centre for Disaster Management told Al Jazeera that around 800 people had been rescued by helicopter and another 700 by land. Relief supplies are being transported by air to survivors. However, approximately 644 of those still missing are believed to be foreigners.
The disaster began when an ice-rock avalanche linked to a glacial collapse occurred near the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting flood carried enormous amounts of water, rocks and mud through settlements in Rasuwa and Nuwakot. Timure and Rasuwagadhi were among the worst-hit areas before the floodwaters surged into the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems.
