Rescue efforts continued on Monday for a sixth day in Nepal following devastating glacial floods triggered by a glacier collapse on the China-Nepal border last Wednesday. The floods have carved a path of destruction across Nepal’s mountainous regions and parts of Tibet, killing more than 900 people and leaving thousands missing.
Nepal's disaster authority reported 903 confirmed deaths and 4,247 people unaccounted for, including approximately 933 hydropower workers believed trapped in tunnels blocked by mud and rock debris in the districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot. Authorities along with specialized teams from China, India, and South Korea are engaged in nonstop rescue operations involving digging, drilling, and blasting to reach the trapped workers. Three bodies have been recovered from the tunnels to date, but rescue teams face significant challenges due to large deposits of debris, unstable terrain, and adverse weather conditions.
The flood also affected Tibet, where Chinese officials reported at least 16 fatalities and 546 people missing. Chinese authorities stated that 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries remained unaccounted for in Tibet following the disaster. On the Nepalese side, around 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries, including tourists and Hindu pilgrims visiting Mount Kailash, were reported missing.
The deluge was caused by a sudden collapse of a glacier, according to the US Geological Survey and Chinese state media, which linked the event to the effects of global warming. Experts note that accelerated glacier melt in the Himalayas due to rising temperatures increases the risk of such disasters.
Entire communities have been swept away, with roads, bridges, and power infrastructure severely damaged or destroyed. An estimated 90,000 people have been affected by the disaster. Officials say many areas remain inaccessible, complicating relief efforts. Villagers displaced by the floods are sheltering in temporary facilities amid persistent heavy rain.
Kathmandu’s morgues have exceeded capacity, prompting authorities to bury some bodies in mass graves after collecting DNA samples to facilitate future identification by families. The government has appealed for international assistance, requesting more than 1,000 freezer units to store remains. Families have been gathering at community centers to identify photos and videos of the deceased.
Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah described the flood as an “unprecedented and devastating natural disaster,” acknowledging the ongoing difficulty in fully assessing the extent of damage. He emphasized the commitment of nearly 21,000 security personnel, alongside civilian workers and volunteers, in conducting rescue operations despite extreme conditions.
On the Chinese side, the government has mobilized over 2,100 rescue workers and allocated significant funding and equipment to support relief. Chinese soldiers have used life-detection technology in search efforts. However, some Nepali officials expressed concerns about limited data sharing from China on glacier risks and water levels, which they fear could hinder future preparedness.
The disaster has highlighted the vulnerability of Nepal’s expanding hydropower sector, with many projects relying on mountain tunnels susceptible to such natural hazards. Ongoing risks include potential additional glacier collapses and landslides, as revealed by recent drone footage of the region.
As the rescue operations continue, hopes remain for survivors among those trapped underground and unaccounted for, while authorities brace for the disaster’s long-term humanitarian and environmental impacts.