Deadly Flash Floods in Nepal Raise Death Toll to 626, Thousands Still Missing

Rescue operations continue in Nepal and China following devastating flash floods along their border region. As of Saturday morning, Nepalese authorities reported 626 fatalities within Nepal and an additional seven deaths on the Chinese side. Approximately 2,500 people remain missing, many of whom are foreign nationals present for work, trekking, or pilgrimage. Nepal has announced it will allow foreign rescue teams and experts to assist in the ongoing efforts. Over 3,700 people have been rescued so far, including survivors pulled from deep mud layers.

The floods were triggered by a massive landslide of ice and rocks from a glacier in the Himalayas, which blocked a wide river tributary of the Bhote Kosi River on the Nepalese side. The sudden release of water caused a destructive surge that swept away villages and infrastructure in northern Nepal’s mountainous Rasuwa district near the Gyirong border crossing. On the Tibetan side, the disaster severed roads, communication, and power supply, with 558 people reported missing, including over 250 foreign nationals. Among the missing is an Israeli citizen, whose status remains unknown, as confirmed by Israeli rescuer Hilik Magnus.

Authorities are increasingly concerned about a secondary disaster as the glacier collapse has formed a new lake in the Himalayas that is rising and threatening to overflow. Nepal has requested assistance from India and China, but strong water currents hinder helicopter landings in affected areas. The situation remains critical as rescue teams race against time to locate missing persons and prevent further damage from the unstable glacial lake.