Death toll rises in Nepal-China border disaster as lake poses new flood threat

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Rescuers pulled out survivors caked in dark brown mud and helicopters lifted stranded people to safety Friday as Nepal and China raced to respond to catastrophic flash floods that killed more than 470 people and left more than 1,500 missing.

Nepal authorities said the death toll there rose to 469, injured people were taken to hospitals and helicopters carried more than 3,000 people to safety. In contrast on the Chinese side, there was little information on survivors, although the death toll rose to five Friday, as state media showed evacuations of villages and leaders’ efforts to direct relief efforts.