Nepal flood death toll rises to 469 as rescuers search debris

The floods struck northern Nepal on August 26 after a glacier collapse triggered a massive torrent of rock, ice, mud and water through Himalayan river systems.

The disaster swept away buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure, leaving several communities isolated.

Nepal Police said on Friday that 469 people had been confirmed dead in the disaster.

Nearly 1,000 people remain missing in Nepal and neighbouring Tibet, raising fears that the death toll could increase as rescue teams reach areas that have been difficult to access.

Rescuers are using heavy machinery, helicopters and sniffer dogs to search through the debris in some of the worst affected areas.

However, hopes of finding more survivors are fading as several days have passed since the floods struck.

The disaster has also affected foreign nationals, with many tourists, trekkers and pilgrims among those reported missing.

In Tibet, hundreds of people are also unaccounted for following the floods near the Nepal-China border.

Authorities are facing another major concern as debris has formed a lake along Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River. Rising water levels could cause the lake to burst and trigger another potentially destructive flood.

Authorities are also monitoring another potentially dangerous lake near the border and are working on measures to reduce the risk of further flooding.

Rescue and relief operations are continuing as authorities assess the scale of the destruction and search for those still missing.

Rescue teams search through mud and debris following devastating flash floods in Nepal that have killed 469 people.

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