Nepal-Tibet floods: nearly 3,000 missing and at least 633 dead

Three days after the devastating flash flood that struck the Himalayan region on Wednesday, on the border between Nepal and Chinese Tibet, the death toll continues to rise. Nepalese authorities revised upwards on Saturday the number of missing, bringing the combined total with China to nearly 3,000 people still missing.

Nepal now reports 2,426 missing persons within its borders, up from 1,924 previously announced, including more than 500 foreign tourists. China, for its part, had reported 554 missing persons, including 260 foreign nationals. In total, the death toll stands at at least 633, according to the combined figures from both countries.

The Nepalese emergency management authority has put the number of Nepalese casualties at 626, a slight increase from the 616 previously reported by the police. Search operations are continuing in difficult conditions in this remote area of ​​the Himalayas.

The reconstruction effort is expected to be colossal. Nepal's Finance Minister, Swarnim Wagle, told Reuters that the country would need $4 billion to $5 billion to finance the recovery efforts. "This is just an estimate. The losses and damage are still being assessed," he added.

Several countries and international organizations have announced emergency aid. Canada will release 5 million Canadian dollars in humanitarian aid, according to Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State for International Development. The European Union will provide two million euros to Nepal: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised that these funds would provide "vital assistance to the hardest-hit families and communities."

France is also affected. The deputy spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry, Glenn Salic, confirmed that four French nationals are among the missing. "The French Embassy in Kathmandu is in contact with local authorities to try to find them. The Crisis and Support Centre teams are in contact with the families of our citizens," he stated.

The situation on the ground remains volatile. Nepalese police have issued a new flood warning after being informed of a lake bursting on the Tibetan side. "We urge all security and rescue teams and the public to remain on alert and immediately seek shelter," they wrote on X.