Guwahati: The death toll has reached 469 following the flash floods that struck Nepal’s northern border region earlier this week, Nepal Police said on Friday.
Rescue teams continue searching for people missing after the disaster sent massive flows of mud and water through the region.
Heavy flooding and landslides hit the mountainous border region on Wednesday, causing widespread damage in northern Nepal and parts of Tibet. Military personnel and helicopters have been involved in rescue and evacuation operations in affected areas and in the search for survivors.
The risk of further flooding has increased after China issued a Level-IV emergency alert over a barrier lake that has formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers.
China’s Ministry of Water Resources said the lake held around two million cubic metres of water by Thursday morning. The volume could increase to about three million cubic metres over the next three days as rain continues, raising concerns that the barrier could break and send more water downstream.
An earthquake was initially suspected as the cause of the disaster. The US Geological Survey later attributed it to a “glacial collapse”.
Scientists believe the collapse sent large amounts of ice, rock and sediment into the river system, leading to severe flooding downstream.
Large amounts of mud and water swept through northern Nepal, damaging buildings, roads and vehicles. The Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers also saw severe rises in water levels, while deaths were reported on the Tibetan side of the border.