Nepal-China Rescue Operations Resume Amid Rising Flood Death Toll Near 600

Rescue operations have resumed in the Nepal-Tibet border region after a brief pause, as authorities report a rising death toll and increasing number of missing persons.

The disaster, which began on Wednesday when a glacier collapse triggered a devastating surge, has resulted in at least 633 deaths and left nearly 3,000 people missing. Nepal's police reported 626 fatalities within the country, with 2,426 missing, including 517 foreigners. In Tibet, Chinese authorities confirmed at least seven deaths and 554 missing persons.

Rescue efforts were temporarily halted due to concerns over a newly formed lake at the collapse site. Experts warned that the unstable barrier, composed of loose debris, posed a significant risk of a second glacial flood. Operations resumed after authorities determined that the risks were manageable. Glacial-hazards scientist Alton Byers noted that the barrier's instability could lead to a gradual drainage or require manual intervention by Chinese crews to lower the lake level.

The Nepalese government has requested specialized assistance from India and China to address gaps in rescue operations, particularly in tunnel rescue. These teams, expected to arrive on Saturday, aim to expedite efforts to locate survivors and recover remains in areas still inaccessible due to mudslides and washed-out roads.

The disaster originated from a glacier collapse at approximately 5,200 meters in the Himalayas. The collapse sent a surge of rock, debris, and water into the Lende River, sweeping through Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts. The Trishuli River rose by nine meters in just 30 minutes, exacerbating the destruction. Initially, an earthquake was suspected as the trigger, but the US Geological Survey later attributed the seismic signal to the landslide itself.

International aid has been mobilized, with support arriving from India, the United Nations, the Red Cross Federation, Australia, South Korea, and the United States. Despite these efforts, officials caution that the death toll is likely to rise as rescuers reach more isolated areas.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited the disaster zone in Gyirong on Thursday, and President Xi Jinping held a meeting to emphasize the need for scientifically formulated search-and-rescue plans and enhanced monitoring of glacial lakes, according to state media.

As rescue operations continue, authorities are prioritizing both immediate relief and long-term risk assessment to prevent further catastrophes in the vulnerable Himalayan region.