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A drone view from Nepal-Tibet flooding affects - Photo: Reuters

KATHMANDU: The death toll from the devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has nearly tripled from the earlier reported figure of 165, reaching 472 as search and recovery teams uncover more victims across impacted river valleys.

The tragic rise in casualties comes as emergency personnel continue searching for more than 1,000 people who remain untraced following the glacial collapse that swept through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors.

The initial report published by Raajje 24 highlighted early casualty figures of 165 deaths after the sudden floods struck the region. However, newly updated situation reports confirm that recovery efforts in remote downstream districts have significantly raised the total loss of life.

Key statistics and current updates from the disaster zone include:

• Rising Death Toll: Total confirmed fatalities have risen to 472, with 469 deaths in Nepal and 3 confirmed in Tibet’s Gyirong County.

• Missing Persons Count: Over 1,000 individuals remain unaccounted for, including more than 500 foreign nationals, trekkers, and pilgrims across both sides of the border.

• Secondary Barrier Risk: Debris-dammed temporary lakes upstream have trapped over two million cubic meters of water, triggering fresh evacuation alerts downstream.

• Infrastructure Destruction: Over 80 motorable and suspension bridges, multiple hydropower stations, and crucial border road links have been completely destroyed.

• Rescue Operations: Over 13,000 security personnel using helicopters and sniffer dogs are conducting search missions across affected districts.

Authorities in both Nepal and China warn that the death toll could rise further as rescue teams gain access to isolated mountain settlements cut off by damaged infrastructure.