The count keeps rising. Nepal’s National Disaster Management Authority said that as of noon Thursday, 1,252 people had died in the flash flood at the Nepal-Tibet border, and another 4,216 were believed missing. A day earlier the figures stood at 1,114 dead and 3,916 missing.
Tibet adds to the total. Chinese state media reported 16 more deaths and 546 missing on that side, which brings the combined toll to 1,268 dead and 4,762 missing across the border.
Rescue and recovery
Officials said almost all communication towers have been restored. Nearly 12,000 people have been rescued with international and domestic help, and more than 5,000 have received treatment for injuries. Around 21,500 security personnel have been mobilised to speed up the search.
Prime Minister Shah said earlier this week that his government would turn its attention to “rehabilitation” as time passes since the first disaster.
A glacier gives way
The flood was caused by part of a glacier failing. It has revived debate over human-driven climate change. The same day, the World Meteorological Organisation forecast a “very strong” El Nino, which raises the risk of extreme weather.
