The death toll from the catastrophic flash floods in Nepal and China has surged past 1,000, with 987 deaths reported in Nepal and 16 in China.
Authorities said 3,916 people remain missing, including 583 foreigners, while 11,814 individuals have been rescued so far.
The disaster was triggered on August 26 when a glacial collapse in the Himalayas sent massive volumes of rock, ice, and meltwater cascading into valleys, unleashing torrents that swept away homes, roads, bridges, and hydropower projects. Scientists noted the rockfall was powerful enough to register as a magnitude 5.2 seismic event.
Rescue operations remain challenging as landslides and destroyed infrastructure have cut off access to several districts. Helicopters and aircraft are being deployed to reach stranded communities. Nepal has issued a fresh flood alert as water levels continue to rise, raising fears of further devastation.
Among those safely evacuated were 39 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, who were diverted from flood‑hit routes and returned to India with assistance from Chinese, Nepalese, and Indian authorities. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 158 Indian citizens have been evacuated so far.
Meanwhile, Nepal Police has begun the identification process for victims, with families urged to use photographs and DNA matching to confirm remains. Many bodies have been temporarily interred to prevent health risks, making forensic identification critical.
