Nepal Flash Floods: Death Toll Climbs to 626, More Than 2,400 People Remain Missing

The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal has climbed to 626, according to the latest figures released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Rescue and relief teams are continuing operations as authorities race to locate thousands of people who remain unaccounted for. Nearly 2,500 people have been evacuated from the worst-affected areas, but more than 2,400 are still reported missing. The scale of the disaster has left rescuers facing difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure and the continuing threat of further flooding.

The flash floods were triggered on Wednesday after an ice-and-rock avalanche linked to a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border unleashed a huge surge of water, mud and debris downstream. The powerful flow swept through towns and villages, destroying homes and vehicles and damaging roads, bridges and hydropower facilities.

Search operations have continued amid concerns that another surge could hit affected areas. Authorities have been closely monitoring the Bhotekoshi River after observing a rise in water levels near the location of the earlier flooding. The disaster has also caused fatalities on the Chinese side of the border. Tibet's emergency management department reported seven deaths there.

More than 11,000 security personnel have been deployed for rescue and relief work across the affected areas, including more than 5,000 members of the Nepal Army. India has also sent an 11-member team consisting of medical professionals and tunnel-rescue specialists to support the ongoing operation. According to the Nepal Army's Public Relations Directorate, 2,465 people have been evacuated so far, including 163 foreign nationals. Among those rescued were 113 Indians, 26 Chinese nationals, 15 South Koreans, four Germans, two Americans, two Italians and one Omani citizen.

Rescue teams have also been working to evacuate people trapped inside hydropower project tunnels. As many as 191 workers were brought out from tunnels in the Trishuli and Rasuwa areas. Helicopters have played a major role in the evacuation effort, carrying 2,265 people to safety, while another 200 were moved through land routes.

Emergency medical facilities established at Dhunche and Trishuli have treated 1,706 evacuated people so far. Hospitals in affected areas remain busy as flood victims receive treatment, while families continue gathering outside medical centres in the hope of receiving updates about relatives who are still missing. An important road connection to Nepal's capital has reopened. The Mugling-Kathmandu highway resumed operations on Saturday after remaining closed since Wednesday because of flooding and landslide concerns. Several national highways and major roads across central Nepal, however, continue to face disruptions because of unstable conditions.

Authorities are also warning residents not to assume that the immediate danger has passed. The NDRRMA issued a fresh alert on Friday after water levels mixed with mud rose again at the location of Wednesday's flash flood, raising concerns about the possibility of another surge. With thousands still missing, rescue agencies are continuing to search affected communities, river channels and damaged infrastructure. Officials are urging people in vulnerable areas to remain alert as teams work against time to find survivors and provide assistance to those displaced by the disaster.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.