Nepal Flood Crisis: Death Toll Nears 400 As China Warns Of New Disaster

The trail of destruction left by the recent deluge in Nepal continues to worsen as the death toll nears the 400 mark. Amidst the ongoing crisis, China has issued a critical alert warning of another potential catastrophe within the next three days. Both Nepal and China raised alarms on Thursday regarding the renewed threat of flooding in the Himalayan region. The concern stems from the formation of two lakes on either side of the border between the two nations, raising fears of a glacial lake outburst flood. This warning comes at a time when the region is still struggling to cope with the aftermath of this week's devastating floods. In both Nepal and Tibet, rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors amidst the ruins. The sudden floods that occurred on Wednesday destroyed homes, washed away bridges, and submerged roads under water. The death toll has now risen to nearly 400, and more than 1,400 people are still reported missing.

Glacial Burst and Landslides Trigger Devastation

Nepal Police have confirmed that the death toll has reached 389 due to the horrific flash floods and heavy flow of debris caused by a glacier burst and landslides near the Nepal-Tibet border. Many of those caught in the disaster were foreigners who had traveled to the region for trekking, guided tours, or pilgrimages to sacred Hindu sites. The scale of the disaster has prompted a massive international concern as citizens from more than 30 countries are reported missing following the floods.

Detailed Casualty and Missing Reports from Nepal

Nepal's Disaster Management Authority has reported that the death toll within the country has reached 359. Also, 910 people are still missing, a figure that includes 517 foreign nationals. The authority also noted that 50 foreigners have been successfully rescued by air so far. Local reports, citing the National Emergency Operation Center, stated that as of Thursday, the missing individuals include 113 Nepali tourists, 85 security personnel from the army and police, 161 residents of the Rasuwa district, and one resident of the Nuwakot district.

Impact in China and Tibet

State media in China reported that at least three people have died in Tibet's Gyirong County, while 558 people remain missing. China's state broadcaster CCTV mentioned that out of the 558 missing individuals, 260 were foreigners. On top of that, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that approximately 100 Chinese citizens are also missing on the Nepal side of the border. The formation of the two lakes on the border has put both nations on high alert for the next 72 hours.

International Citizens Missing: A Global Crisis

The disaster has affected people from numerous countries. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that contact has been lost with 288 Indian citizens. This number includes 73 individuals who were working on a power project in the region. Nepalese officials have also indicated that many Indian tourists were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a site of great religious significance for Hindus. The US State Department reported that 90 American citizens are unaccounted for in China and Nepal, though there are no confirmed reports of American deaths yet. Three Americans have been rescued. Malaysia has reported 51 citizens missing, while Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stated that 55 of its citizens are missing, including two tourist groups of 47 and 7 people, along with a Ukrainian woman traveling with a foreign tour group.

Missing Persons by Country

The list of missing persons spans across the globe. Australia has reported 39 citizens missing, and the UK has 33 citizens unaccounted for. Canada has 25 missing citizens according to the Nepal Tourism Board. South Korean officials reported that nine of their citizens, who were working on a hydropower plant in Nepal, are missing. Singapore and Germany each have eight citizens missing. Russia's embassy in Nepal confirmed that eight of its citizens are missing, while south Africa and Latvia both have six citizens missing. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed concern over five Japanese citizens reported missing by local media. New Zealand also has five people missing, while france has four missing citizens, while Belgium and Spain each have three citizens missing. Other countries with missing citizens include Italy, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Ireland, and the Netherlands, each with two people, while Also, one citizen each from Belarus, Finland, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, Philippines, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Serbia, and Sweden is reported missing, along with 10 other unidentified individuals.