The death toll from sudden and deadly floods in Nepal, China, and Tibet topped 900, with the total certain to rise considerably as rescuers try to reach those trapped by the disaster.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority put the latest number of confirmed dead at 903. Some of the bodies were recovered 150 miles from ground zero of the flood, which swept away thousands on Wednesday. The government put the number of missing at 4,250, and rescuers are currently focusing on reaching 933 missing people who are believed to be trapped in the tunnels of six hydropower projects.
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“A large amount of debris has been deposited and that is posing us a big challenge to open the tunnels,” Nepal army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said.
Rescuer Ashish Gurung told the Guardian that the rescue teams remain hopeful, as the hydropower company had provided maps of the underground infrastructure showing there were areas where they could be holding out.
“They have a safe area inside,” he said. “Some of them could potentially be alive. I am hoping they are alive.”
Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah said that nearly 21,000 security personnel were deployed for rescue operations, with many more civilian volunteers assisting.
“Despite the adverse weather, difficult terrain, and continuing risks, we are moving forward with determination to save the lives of our citizens,” he said late on Sunday.
Nepal has relied on specialized tunnel rescue teams from China and India to help with the rescue.
NEPAL WARNS OF POSSIBLE FRESH FLOODING AS COMMUNITIES GRAPPLE WITH DEVASTATION
Wednesday’s flood was caused when a massive 2,000-foot-wide piece of glacier broke off from high on a mountain, plunging 7,000 feet into a river and melting on impact. The glacier collapse and debris flow were so powerful that the U.S. Geological Survey originally labeled it as an earthquake, equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake.
Hundreds of foreigners are among the thousands currently missing, including at least 85 American citizens.
