DHADING, Nepal (AP) — Authorities in Nepal issued warnings on Sunday regarding the potential for fresh flooding, advising residents in affected districts to remain vigilant as water levels in the Bhotekoshi River increased. Flood warning notifications were sent to residents' phones early Sunday as rescue teams worked to clear a major highway connecting Kathmandu to areas severely impacted by catastrophic floods that occurred on Wednesday, resulting in at least 800 fatalities and over 3,000 individuals reported missing in Nepal and Tibet.
The latest warnings followed communication from Chinese authorities, who informed Nepalese officials of heightened water flow upstream, according to Dharam Raj Uprety, chief executive of Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that a new lake formed after Wednesday's floods in the mountains had mostly drained, but warned that a crater located 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles) upstream, containing an estimated 1.4 million cubic meters of water, still posed a risk and required monitoring.
As of Sunday, Nepal's disaster agency reported a death toll of 788 with 2,502 individuals missing, while Chinese authorities confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing on their side of the border. The missing persons include hundreds from various countries who were in the region for work, tourism, or pilgrimage. Chinese state media indicated that 261 foreigners were missing in Tibet, including over a hundred Nepalis.
In Dhading, one of the most affected areas, some residents returned to their damaged homes to salvage belongings. Many were seen clearing mud and debris from their properties, with some recovering live chickens. Sharmila Tamang, a local resident, expressed despair over the loss of her home, stating, "Everything is finished. Nothing is left. Not even our home."
At a key power plant that sustained severe damage, workers began assessing the destruction on Sunday. The plant provides electricity to over 20,000 people across four districts. In Galchhi, residents sought refuge on a bridge, observing the river's powerful flow and the debris it carried. Many homes and vehicles were buried in sediment, and areas that had previously been farmland were affected by landslides.
Residents reported confusion over the frequent flood alarms they received since the initial disaster. Govind Shreshta, a local resident, described the difficulty of evacuating his elderly parents during the alerts, stating, "It's really difficult for me. I have a 72-year-old father and 70-year-old mom. I must carry them and I am exhausted."
Significant infrastructure damage included the destruction of concrete and suspension bridges, isolating communities on either side of the river. Sattan Singh Tamang, a local worker, noted the challenges faced by those stranded due to the floods.
The flash floods were triggered by a glacial collapse in the Himalayan region, which scientists indicated was severe enough to register as a magnitude 5.2 earthquake. The resulting rockfall and meltwater caused rivers to swell, leading to widespread destruction in both Tibet and Nepal.
Nepal's foreign minister called for a global response to climate change, highlighting that despite contributing only 0.1% to global emissions, Nepal has become a significant victim of its effects. Shisir Khanal stated, "Despite having only 0.1% contribution to the global emissions, people of Nepal have become major victims of climate change."
While scientists caution against making direct links between global warming and the recent floods, they acknowledge that rising global temperatures increase the likelihood of such disasters, particularly in the rapidly warming Himalayan region.
In response to the disaster, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that his country would send a search-and-rescue team to assist Nepal and pledged $1 million in financial aid for relief efforts.
Associated Press writers Aijaz Hussain in New Delhi and Shristi Kafle in Kathmandu contributed to this report.