Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Nepal and China following a glacier collapse that triggered a landslide in the Himalayas. The death toll has approached 800, with over 3,000 people reported missing, according to Reuters.
Nepal has confirmed 781 deaths, with 2,502 more people listed as missing. On the Chinese side in Gyirong District, 16 deaths and 546 missing have been recorded. Among those being searched for in Tibet are 261 foreigners from 23 countries.
What is complicating the operation
Rescue operations have been halted several times due to bad weather and the threat of a lake breach that formed after the landslide on the Nepal-China border. By Saturday evening, the water body had largely drained, but drones detected a new landslide approximately 2.8 km downstream – it has formed a natural dam and a new body of water, again increasing the risk of flooding.
In Nepal, rescuers and local residents were forced to move to higher ground due to rising water levels in the Trisuli River. The complex mountainous terrain remains the main obstacle for machinery and ground teams.
Extent of damage
According to the Red Cross assessment, the natural disaster may have affected over 90,000 people. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that the search for 56 Ukrainians who were in the flood-affected area is still ongoing.
The key question in the coming days is whether the new natural dam will withstand water pressure, or if a repeated breach will make it harder for rescuers to access the most severely affected areas.
