Rescue teams in Nepal continued their search for survivors trapped in hydropower tunnels nearly two weeks after devastating floods caused by a glacial collapse on August 26. The disaster, which originated near the China-Nepal border, has resulted in a confirmed death toll of 1,401 people, with another 5,845 reported missing.

The floods were triggered when a section of glacier on the Nepalese side collapsed into the Lhende Khola River valley, unleashing a surge of water, mud, and debris that swept through the region, including parts of Tibet in China. Chinese authorities reported finding 43 bodies and listed 519 missing on their side of the border.

Nepal’s disaster management spokesman Prakash Pokhrel explained that the rising casualty figures were due to ongoing verification and compilation of reports, as officials strive to establish more accurate counts.

Search and rescue operations entered their 14th day, focusing on three hydropower projects where up to 120 workers might still be trapped inside tunnels. Approximately 900 workers were present across 11 hydropower sites in the affected area when the flooding occurred, with many still unaccounted for. The recent rescue of three individuals from deep within the tunnels provided a glimmer of hope that others might survive.

Dharam Raj Uprety, head of Nepal’s disaster authority, confirmed that efforts remain active in the affected zones, particularly at the Chilime hydropower plant, where one tunnel reportedly contained its own kitchen and supplies. Another critical site under scrutiny is a tunnel connecting two projects along the Trishuli River, which bore significant impact from the floodwaters. The Rasuwa border post, located at the confluence of the Lhende Khola and Trishuli rivers, was destroyed by the flood, with surrounding villages heavily inundated.

Reports have also indicated that some individuals may be stranded on higher ground nearby, prompting authorities to extend their search efforts beyond the tunnels.

With many bodies recovered and mortuaries overwhelmed, Nepalese police have resorted to burying hundreds in mass graves after collecting DNA samples aimed at future identification. The unprecedented scale of the disaster has posed significant challenges for rescue teams working in difficult terrain and rapidly changing conditions.