Nepal-China flood disaster: What’s the latest toll, how many are missing?

What the report says

At least 734 people have died and more than 3,000 remain missing after a glacier collapse triggered severe floods and landslides near the Nepal-China border, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting based on Nepali, Chinese and Reuters material. The disaster struck on Wednesday and hit river valleys, villages and infrastructure along the Trishuli and Bhotekoshi systems, with central Nepal and the Tibet region of China among the worst affected areas.

In Nepal, officials said about 2,498 people were still unaccounted for as of Sunday morning, including workers and others linked to hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. The Independent Power Producers’ Association said roughly 933 people were missing or unaccounted for at 11 project sites and tunnels. Rescue teams, including army and police personnel, have been trying to clear debris and reach trapped workers, while India has sent medical and tunnel-rescue specialists to assist.

Chinese authorities reported 16 deaths in Gyirong County and said 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries were missing in Tibet. Search efforts have been complicated by damaged roads and bridges, unstable weather, and a newly formed barrier lake that briefly halted operations over flooding fears. Al Jazeera also reported that Nepal has mobilized thousands of security personnel and helicopters, while officials continue to warn of further flood risk and the challenge of identifying bodies and restoring access in remote terrain.

The scale of the losses highlights how cross-border disasters can overwhelm rescue systems, especially in mountainous regions where communications, transport and medical support are limited.