The death toll in devastating Nepal-Tibet flash floods has risen to 392, while 1,468 people remain missing on both sides of the border. Of the 392 people killed in the disaster, 389 died in Nepal and three in neighbouring Tibet. Nepal authorities reported 910 people missing, while officials in Tibet said another 558 people remained unaccounted for, taking the total number of missing people on the two sides of the border to 1,468. As rescuers search riverbanks and isolated settlements for survivors and recover bodies carried downstream, the threat is far from over.

A newly formed barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system has raised fears that a breach could unleash another surge, potentially worsening the disaster and complicating rescue operations already underway. Nepalese security personnel have evacuated more than 800 people from affected districts. The catastrophe has triggered a major rescue effort by India, with the External Affairs Ministry saying 290 Indian nationals in Nepal remain uncontactable.

New Delhi is making “urgent efforts” to ascertain their whereabouts and coordinate their rescue, with the missing Indians including hydropower workers and tourist groups from different states. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said urgent efforts are underway to ascertain the status and well-being of Indians caught in the flood-hit areas. He said the External Affairs Ministry is coordinating with the Nepalese side, other ministries, state governments, tour operators and relevant authorities.

The External Affairs Ministry has also established a 24-hour control room to assist with tracing and evacuation efforts. India has so far rescued 84 nationals. This includes 63 workers from the Trishuli-I run-of-river hydroelectric project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu.