The death toll from the devastating glacier collapse in the Himalayas has risen to at least 797, while 3,048 people remain missing after a massive rush of water, rocks and debris swept through several villages along the Nepal-China border.
Nepal recorded 781 deaths in its latest update released on Sunday, while 2,502 people were still missing. Among those listed as missing in Nepal are 592 foreign nationals. In neighbouring China, state broadcaster CCTV reported 16 deaths and 546 missing people, including 261 foreigners, bringing the combined toll across the two countries to the latest reported figures.
The disaster began on Wednesday when part of a glacier located at an altitude of approximately 5,200 metres collapsed. The mass plunged about 1,200 metres before accumulating rocks and other debris and crashing into the Lende River, triggering a powerful surge that tore through communities in its path.
The scale of the flooding has made rescue efforts increasingly difficult, with operations repeatedly suspended since Friday because of poor weather and concerns about further flooding. Authorities are also dealing with the danger posed by a lake that formed following the glacier collapse across the Nepal-China border.
The newly formed lake has started overflowing into Nepal’s Lhende and Trishuli rivers, raising concerns over the possibility of additional flooding in areas already affected by the disaster. Rescue teams therefore face the challenge of searching for missing people while also monitoring conditions that could create further danger.
More than 100 workers are also believed to be trapped inside several hydropower tunnels affected by the disaster. Their situation has added to the urgency of the ongoing search-and-rescue operation as authorities and specialised teams continue efforts to locate those missing.
Burials begin as identification efforts continue
While search operations continue, authorities in Nepal have begun burying some of the victims recovered from the disaster. DNA samples are being taken before burial to preserve the possibility of identifying the victims and allowing their remains to be matched with relatives in the future.
The identification process has become particularly important because many bodies were swept away by the floodwaters. The force of the disaster separated victims from their communities and families, leaving relatives unable to locate or immediately identify loved ones who may have been caught in the flooding.
Mass burials involving hundreds of unidentified victims are taking place in Nepal’s Chitwan district, a scenic area known for its forests and rivers. The burials are being carried out as authorities continue efforts to establish the identities of those killed in the disaster.
Beyond the immediate death toll, the disaster has affected a much wider population. The Red Cross estimates that about 90,000 people in Nepal are likely to have been affected, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian situation created by the glacier collapse and subsequent flooding.
The impact on communities has also added pressure to rescue and relief operations, particularly as poor weather continues to disrupt efforts. Authorities must contend with difficult conditions while responding to the needs of people affected by the flooding and searching for thousands who remain unaccounted for.
International rescue assistance expands
The search-and-rescue operation has drawn support from several countries as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer. Specialised teams from India, China and South Korea have joined the efforts to locate missing people and assist with the emergency response.
Malaysia is also deploying its Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance Search and Rescue Team, known as SMART, to contribute to the rescue operation. The country has additionally pledged $1 million in recovery assistance for the affected communities.
International financial support has also started reaching the response effort. The European Union pledged $2.3 million on Friday to support the humanitarian response, while the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has allocated more than $1 million.
The IFRC has also launched an emergency appeal seeking $31 million to support the response to the disaster. The funding is expected to help address the humanitarian needs arising from the widespread impact of the flooding and glacier collapse.
With thousands of people still missing in Nepal and China, rescue teams continue to face a race against difficult weather and the threat of additional flooding. The overflowing lake and affected rivers remain a major concern, while authorities continue recovery operations and efforts to identify victims.
For families still waiting for information about missing relatives, the search and identification process remains critical as Nepal and its international partners continue responding to one of the region’s most devastating recent disasters.
Death toll nears 800 as Himalayan glacier collapse leaves thousands missing
