Rescue operations have resumed in the flood-affected Nepal-Tibet border region after a brief pause due to concerns about a potential second glacial flood. The death toll has risen to 633, with nearly 3,000 people reported missing. Nepal’s police confirmed that the number of fatalities has reached 626 as of Saturday. The disaster authority reported 2,426 individuals missing on the Nepalese side, including 517 foreigners, which may consist of tourists and foreign workers. In Tibet, Chinese authorities have reported at least seven deaths and 554 missing persons.
Al Jazeera’s Minelle Fernandez, reporting from Kathmandu, noted that the Nepalese government has requested specialized assistance from India and China to enhance its rescue operations. These teams, which include tunnel rescue experts, are expected to arrive later on Saturday. The Nepalese foreign ministry stated that the decision was made due to the urgency of saving lives, despite initial reluctance to accept large-scale assistance to avoid chaos.
The disaster began on Wednesday morning when a glacier collapsed at approximately 5,200 meters in the Himalayas, falling about 1,200 meters and collecting rock and debris before impacting the Lende River. This surge caused significant flooding, raising the Trishuli River by 9 meters within 30 minutes. The US Geological Survey revised its initial assessment of an earthquake trigger, determining that the seismic signal originated from the landslide.
A new lake formed at the site of the collapse, which raised concerns and led to a temporary halt in search efforts. Operations have since resumed after the risks associated with the lake were assessed as manageable. Alton Byers, a glacial-hazards scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, indicated that the barrier holding back the lake is unstable, composed of loose debris. He suggested that the safest outcome would be a natural drainage of the lake, while Chinese teams may attempt to lower the water level using manual methods.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited the disaster area in Gyirong on Thursday, and President Xi Jinping directed officials to develop effective search-and-rescue plans and enhance monitoring of glacial lakes. International aid has been provided by India, the UN, the Red Cross Federation, Australia, South Korea, and the US. Officials warn that the death toll may continue to rise as rescuers reach areas still inaccessible due to mud and damaged roads.