The death toll from catastrophic flooding along the China-Nepal border has risen to at least 1,273, with thousands of people still missing as rescue teams continue a desperate search for survivors.
Nepal’s disaster management authorities said on Thursday that at least 1,252 people had died in the country following the floods, while Chinese state media reported 21 deaths in Tibet.
The disaster struck on 26 August, devastating mountainous areas on both sides of the border and destroying roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
In Nepal, 4,216 people remain missing, while authorities in China have reported another 541 missing. This brings the total number of people unaccounted for across the two countries to 4,757.
Nearly 600 foreign nationals from more than 30 countries are also reportedly missing. Indian nationals make up a significant proportion of those unaccounted for, while the United States State Department said about 75 Americans were still missing as of Wednesday.
In Kathmandu, relatives of missing foreign nationals have been desperately searching hospitals and morgues for information about their loved ones.
Among them is 53-year-old American Sanjeev Rai, who travelled to Nepal after being unable to contact his wife.
“I feel desperate, it's been so many days,” Rai said.
The scale of the destruction has created major challenges for rescue and relief operations. Roads and bridges have been washed away, leaving some remote mountain communities difficult to reach.
Aid organisations are considering using porters to transport essential supplies into some of the worst-affected areas near the Chinese border.
UN Resident Coordinator for Nepal Lila Pieters Yahia said discussions were also under way with the government about using helicopters and cargo drones to deliver assistance.
She said traditional porters could also play an important role in reaching isolated communities, given their experience carrying heavy loads across Nepal’s steep and difficult terrain.
Meanwhile, Nepali army personnel and rescue teams, including foreign specialists, continued their search for survivors trapped inside several hydropower tunnels.
The army said excavators and other heavy machinery were being used to clear debris and search the tunnels for people who may still be alive.
Rescue operations are continuing as authorities race against time to reach isolated communities and locate those still missing.