The death toll from a mudslide that struck Gyirong Port on the China-Nepal border has risen to 21, with 541 people still unaccounted for, authorities reported Wednesday. Rescue operations intensified after reopening a crucial section of National Highway G216, the main route leading to the disaster zone in Shigatse, Xizang Autonomous Region, allowing heavy machinery and supplies to reach the hardest-hit areas.

The mudslide occurred on August 26, originating from the Nepalese side and causing extensive damage to roads, power lines, and communications infrastructure, which initially hindered access to the affected region. Karma Tsetan, chairman of the Xizang regional government, disclosed at a news briefing in Gyirong that over 2,300 rescue personnel had been mobilized, supported by more than 400 vehicles and 8,000 sets of rescue equipment. Drones have conducted approximately 800 flights to assist in the search and supply efforts, while airlifts have delivered more than 543 metric tons of relief materials to the core area.

Before the highway reopening, rescue teams faced difficult terrain and damaged infrastructure, forcing them to use a combination of land, water, and air transport. Some groups reached the site by boat via waterways, others trekked for about 12 hours through mountainous areas, and helicopters made 24 flights to ferry personnel and equipment. Restoration of communications included reestablishing 12 base stations and deploying lighting and power systems, helping to improve coordination and operational efficiency.

The search area covers approximately 1.59 million square meters, with teams conducting repeated grid searches. More than 10 heavy machines are now in operation, marking a shift from surface-level searches to deeper excavation efforts. Ren Wei, executive vice chairman of the regional government, noted that debris layers average around four meters in depth, reaching up to 16 meters in some spots. The search is concentrating on key locations where individuals might be trapped, such as a parking lot, a joint inspection building, and accommodation facilities.

The Ministry of Emergency Management outlined changes in rescue tactics as excavators clear large volumes of debris, enabling specialized teams to deploy life-detection equipment and conduct thorough examinations of buried structures, riverbanks, gullies, and damaged roads. Search dogs are also engaged where conditions allow. A forward command post roughly 1.5 kilometers from Gyirong Port has been established to enhance coordination among rescuers near the site.

Rescuers face numerous challenges due to the high-altitude terrain, damaged infrastructure, and unpredictable weather. Yao Xueqin, a member of a Lhasa fire and rescue detachment, described the physical demands posed by thin air, steep slopes, and deep mud. Furthermore, fog, rainfall, and turbulent valley air currents have intermittently limited drone operations and supply flights. The terrain’s drastic alteration—erasing familiar landmarks—adds complexity to locating missing persons.

Reopening National Highway G216 was a critical undertaking, with crews working around the clock amid adverse conditions such as narrow workspaces, unstable slopes, rising water levels, and ongoing rainfall. Over 1,300 personnel deployments and 650 equipment deployments supported the restoration effort, which was largely completed by Wednesday morning. China Anneng Group, specializing in disaster response and infrastructure repair, contributed 158 rescuers and 33 pieces of equipment to shore up flood-damaged segments of the highway.

Authorities warn that the risk of secondary disasters remains high, with heavy rain forecast for the coming days. Three national emergency rescue teams have formed a joint monitoring group that conducts continuous surveillance of barrier lakes, landslide zones, and unstable slopes using rockfall and slope radar systems. Weather updates are provided in six-hour intervals. Rescuers are instructed to prioritize safety, withdraw from vulnerable areas at night, operate in groups with protective equipment, and promptly evacuate if danger signals are detected.