Nepal Flood Highlights: Nepal Officials Say Water Level Rising Again After Embankment Fails

The death toll from flash floods in central Nepal rose to 469 on Friday, with more bodies recovered as search and rescue operations continued for the third day following the disaster.

In a statement, Nepal Police said the bodies were recovered from eight districts of the Himalayan nation. Search and rescue operations continued for the third day of the tragic incident with the mobilisation of 7,451 security personnel, including 2,391 Nepal Army personnel, the statement said.

-PTI

China has issued a Level-IV emergency alert over a newly formed barrier lake near the Tibet-Nepal border, warning that a breach could trigger another surge downstream. The lake has already accumulated around 2 million cubic metres of water, with inflows potentially reaching 3 million cubic metres over the next three days amid continued rainfall.

China has deployed satellites, drones and rescue teams to the flood-hit Gyirong area, where 558 people were reported missing after the August 26 floods. An advance team has also arrived to assess the barrier lake, while authorities use drones and thermal imaging to locate missing people and map affected areas.

Apple CEO Tim Cook took to X to share his condolences for the tragedy in Nepal. He added that Apple will be contributing to relief and rebuilding funds.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has expressed solidarity with Indians, Nepalis and Tibetans affected by the devastating floods along the Nepal-China border. In a message posted in Tibetan, Mamdani said hundreds had lost their lives while others were still searching for safety, assuring affected communities in New York that they were “not alone.”

Mamdani later posted a separate message in Nepali, saying the city stood with its Nepali and Tibetan residents grieving the loss of loved ones.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday launched its “Nepal Flood Relief Campaign”, appealing to the public to support relief efforts for people affected by the devastating floods in Nepal.

The organisation said the assistance will include food, clothing, medicines and shelter for displaced families. The appeal comes as the flood death toll rose to 362, with hundreds still missing, including at least 290 Indians, while around 200 others remain stranded on the Chinese side.

Rescue operations are being carried out at a rapid pace using helicopters. People affected by the floods are being brought to safe places from the affected areas. Rescue team members are also being sent by helicopter to the flood-affected areas.

In Nuwalkot, Nepal, kin of a missing person told ANI that his brother had been missing for three days and his name hadn't appeared on the lists. He appealed the government to rescue him.

After the devastating floods in Nepal, the water in the lower reaches of the Gandak river, which flows through Bihar, remained at normal levels.

India's border districts had been placed on high alert due to the possibility of flooding in rivers that enter Indian from Nepal.

The MEA has announced that 21 Tamil Nadu residents have been rescued from flood-affected areas and have reached Kathmandu where the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, enquired about their well-being.

"The geographical terrain here makes the weather conditions unfavorable for operations, yet our army and all our helicopter teams are fully engaged in the effort... Given the conditions upstream, we are taking immediate action—the federal, provincial, and local governments are all working together. There are two army helicopters, along with others from the private sector, all deployed in the operation. We are utilizing every resource available to us. We are keeping everyone informed, and our security agencies are issuing advisories urging people to stay safe," he said.

Nepal Police Officer P Chaudhary told ANI that the water levels are about to rise again and hence everyone is being evacuated from the Trishuli area.

"The water level is about to rise, so everyone is being stopped. The vehicles that were engaged in the operation are all returning. They are all coming back. Everyone is being evacuated from there and is being taken to a safe location. All the work has stopped. Even worse flooding is yet to come, that is why everyone is being put on alert," he said.

Rescue workers and other people present in the Trishuli area are being moved to higher ground after a rise in the water levels upstream.

The full scale of Nepal’s devastating flash floods may take up to a week to emerge, Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj has told CNN-News18.

Gopalganj DM Sameer Saurabh has informed that after a brief surge during the flash floods in Nepal, the water levels at the Valimikinagar Barrage have returned to normal levels. Also, the barrage is under constant supervision and maintenance.

Former Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri says, "We have seen reports indicating that several Indian-Americans are currently unaccounted for; there is no contact with them at the moment, so they are effectively missing. Hopefully, everyone is safe and sound, and the situation is simply a temporary disruption in communication. Beyond hoping that the rescue and search operations go well, we must also stand together in support."

Nepal Home Minister Sudan Gurung is speaking on the flood situation gripping the nation.

China on Friday said the deadly flash floods along the Tibet-Nepal border may have been triggered by a high-altitude glacier collapse in Nepal. The death toll in Nepal has climbed to 469, with three deaths reported in Tibet.

More than 1,000 people, including 555 tourists, have been evacuated from Gyirong County, Chinese state media said. Beijing is also verifying reports of missing Indian tourists and pilgrims and has pledged emergency aid to Nepal.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday chaired a Communist Party meeting to review rescue and relief efforts after deadly flash floods hit Tibet’s Gyirong County. Leaders observed a moment of silence for the victims and called for coordinated efforts to locate all missing Chinese and foreign nationals.

China said around 1,000 people, including 555 tourists, have been evacuated, while more than 550 remain missing in Tibet. Beijing has also issued a Level-IV alert over a newly formed barrier lake near the Nepal border, warning of a possible breach and further flooding downstream.

Rescue work is still ongoing in Nepal's flood hit Trishuli Sainik area. At the same time a fresh flood warning has been announced by Nepali authorities after a rise in water level was noticed.

Rijan Bhakta Kayastha, a climate researcher and professor at Kathmandu University, was quoted as saying by The Kathmandu Post that an avalanche appeared to have blocked the Lhende River before the flood broke through. “We suspect an avalanche on the Nepal side blocked the Lhende,” Kayastha said. “An earthquake occurred at around the same time, but we do not yet know whether it helped trigger the avalanche.”

Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri met today with a delegation of senior Ministers from Tamil Nadu led by Thiru Aadhav Arjuna and briefed them on ongoing relief and assistance efforts for Indian nationals, including travellers from Tamil Nadu.

Rescue work had earlier been halted due to a possible surge in the water level in the area which had threatened renewed flooding.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that 21 Indian nationals rescued in Nepal have landed in Delhi.

"First good news, 21 Indian nationals who had arrived yesterday in Kathmandu from the area that was affected by this flood have today landed in Delhi. These 21 Indian nationals are from Tamil Nadu," he said.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal as part of his press briefing informed that around 320 Indian nationals are still out of contact or missing in Nepal. Though he warned that the situation remains dynamic and the numbers are bound to fluctuate.

"As far as the number of people whom we are not able to contact or who are missing, the figure at this point in time is 320. But please do keep in mind that we are in a dynamic situation, so figures keep going up and down," he said.

A third flight containing relief material for Nepal may leave today, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed. He also went over the overall help provided by India after devastating flash floods hit Nepal.

"The first aircraft departed on August 26 in the evening. It carried 10 tonnes of relief material, which included temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and medicines. Thereafter, there was a second departure, which happened yesterday, August 27, at around 10.30 a.m. This particular flight carried 37.5 tonnes of relief material, which included tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, kitchen sets, gensets, medicines and food items. And then we are considering the third flight to be leaving this evening, expected to be leaving this evening," he said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has received the 21 Indian nationals who had been rescued from Nepal at Delhi airport. They were rescued and sent to Kathmandu yesterday from where they boarded an Indigo flight back home.

The rescue efforts are being done by the Nepal authorities and Nepal forces. So, even these people (a group of 21 that has just reached India) were rescued by the Nepal Army. From our side, whatever support we can give to the Govt of Nepal, we are doing," Jaishankar told reporters.

An Indian national who was rescued from Nepal and landed in Delhi today described his ordeal to ANI.

"Very serious situation there. Around 250 Indians are missing...The flood was just 100 metres from me. God helped me. So, I am happy...I am from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Minister Nara Lokesh spoke to me; the MLA of my constituency also spoke to me...I thank the CM and them," he said.