Nepal Issues Fresh Flood Warning as Rescue Operations Face Severe Challenges Following Glacial Collapse

NEW DELHI/KATHMANDU — Nepal issued a fresh warning on Saturday as water levels in a key river rose, threatening to disrupt rescue efforts after catastrophic flooding killed hundreds and left thousands still missing along its border with China.

Rescue personnel and relief providers operating near the Bhote Koshi river have been instructed to exercise utmost caution, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. At least 690 people have been confirmed dead, while over 3,000 remain unaccounted for, based on figures provided by Nepal and China. Officials note that the death toll is likely to rise as rescue workers accelerate efforts to retrieve bodies.

The catastrophe was triggered by a glacial collapse that sent ice, mud, rocks, and fast-moving water surging through a valley in Nepal, wiping out entire settlements. Video footage showed residents attempting to flee as walls of water and debris swallowed buildings, tore down bridges and power lines, and washed away trees and vehicles.

David Fisher, head of the Nepal delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, described the devastation after visiting the affected district of Nuwakot. Thousands of displaced individuals are currently taking shelter in surviving buildings on higher ground, including houses of worship, hospitals, and government buildings.

In response to the crisis, Nepal has mobilized over 18,500 military and police personnel for challenging rescue operations, particularly in sludge-filled settlements and at hydropower projects where workers have been trapped in tunnels. Tunnel experts from India and China have also joined the operations.

Rescue efforts at the Trishuli 3 ‘A’ Hydropower Project in Rasuwa intensified over the weekend. China deployed nine tunnel experts to assist at the hydropower station, while India dispatched an 11-member medical and tunnel rescue team alongside a flight carrying essential supplies and technical capabilities.

The Himalayan nation, recognized as one of Asia’s poorest economies, faces daunting reconstruction challenges while simultaneously managing higher fuel costs, weaker tourism, and slowing economic growth. The disaster has compounded challenges for Prime Minister Balendra Shah's administration.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal stated that rescuing Nepalis and foreign nationals remains the government's top priority. However, operations in remote regions have been hampered by tough terrain, heavy rains, and the risk of further flooding from unstable lakes formed upstream by mud and debris. Khanal noted that the government is seeking heavy-lift drones to supply remote areas reachable only by helicopters, as well as specialized aid such as freezers to prevent the decomposition of bodies found downstream.

"This disaster highlights the immense vulnerability of developing economies to severe climate and geographical shocks. Beyond the immediate and tragic loss of life, the extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including hydropower projects and transportation routes, places a severe fiscal strain on Nepal. From a macroeconomic perspective, managing such large-scale reconstruction while dealing with external pressures like energy costs requires robust international cooperation, effective supply chain logistics, and long-term strategic resilience planning for vulnerable regions." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes