Nepal Flood Death Toll Nears 500, Search Underway for 1,498 Missing as New Flood Threat Looms

The Nepal-Tibet flash floods have killed at least 469 people and left 1,468 missing, while rescue teams race to reach devastated communities amid fears that a newly formed barrier lake could trigger another deadly flood.

The disaster, caused by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, sent a massive surge of water, mud and debris through central Nepal. Entire settlements were destroyed, roads and bridges were washed away and hydropower projects were severely damaged.

Toll reaches 469 as 1,468 remain missing

Nepal authorities have reported 910 missing people, while officials in Tibet have reported another 558, taking the combined number of missing to 1,468.

Nepal Police said 796 people, including 50 foreigners, were rescued by helicopter, while another 796 were evacuated by land. Rescue teams are continuing to search riverbanks, isolated settlements and downstream areas using helicopters, drones and ground teams.

At least 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel are among those missing. Around 160 workers at hydropower projects and customs offices are also unaccounted for.

Chitwan has recorded the highest number of recovered bodies, with 137, while bodies have also been found in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun and Nawalparasi.

290 Indians still untraceable

India has stepped up efforts to locate 290 nationals who remain uncontactable in flood-hit areas of Nepal.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the government was coordinating with Nepalese authorities, state governments, tour operators and other agencies to establish their whereabouts and arrange assistance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured him of India’s full humanitarian support.

India has so far rescued 84 nationals, including 63 workers from the Trishuli-I hydropower project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu.

Another 200 Indian nationals on the Tibet side have sought assistance for evacuation.

The Ministry of External Affairs has established a 24-hour control room to coordinate tracing and evacuation efforts.

New barrier lake sparks fresh flood fears

The immediate disaster may not be over.

A newly formed barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system has raised fears of another surge downstream if the natural blockage breaks.

Chinese authorities estimated that around 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake by Thursday morning, with another 3 million cubic metres potentially flowing into it over the next three days.

Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology warned of continued flooding risks along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers and urged people to stay away from riverbanks and move to safer locations.

Chinese authorities are monitoring the lake and conducting flood simulations and risk assessments. A Chinese rescue team has also reached Gyirong to assess the upstream blockage.

Glacial collapse triggered catastrophe

The floods were initially associated with an earthquake, but assessments by Nepalese authorities and the US Geological Survey indicate that the disaster was triggered by a glacial collapse and debris flow.

An ice-rock avalanche struck the Lhende River and temporarily blocked its flow. When the natural barrier gave way, a huge volume of water, mud and debris surged into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.

The US Geological Survey said its analysis of long-period seismic waves showed that the event was generated by the glacial collapse and debris flow rather than an earthquake.

Infrastructure devastated

The floods have caused widespread damage to Nepal’s transport and energy infrastructure.

A 42-km road stretch between Betrawati in Nuwakot and Rasuwagadhi was damaged at multiple points, while several concrete bridges were washed away.

Authorities reported damage to 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and around 40 km of black-topped roads.

The Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects were also affected, while efforts are underway to reopen the Galchhi-Baireni road in Dhading.

Families wait for news

As rescue operations continue, families are searching hospitals and rescue centres for missing relatives.

At Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, authorities displayed lists and photographs of people brought to the facility. At Bharatpur Hospital in Chitwan, families continued searching for loved ones as the number of recovered bodies increased.

Survivors described entire neighbourhoods being swept away within minutes, with homes, markets, farms and government buildings buried under mud and debris.

India sends relief

India has dispatched 47.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Nepal since the disaster began. The supplies include temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, medicines and food packets.

Nepal’s security forces, along with helicopters, drones and ground teams, are continuing search-and-rescue operations across Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot and Chitwan.

With 469 people confirmed dead, 1,468 still missing and another potential flood threatening the Bhote Koshi river system, authorities are facing a race against time to find survivors while preparing for a possible second disaster.