Rescuers Battle Vast Terrain and Weather After China-Nepal Border Mudslide

A catastrophic mudslide triggered by a glacier collapse on the Nepalese side has severely hampered rescue operations near Gyirong Port in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The disaster struck on August 26, unleashing an ice avalanche that carried enormous volumes of rock and debris over 20 kilometers, with a vertical drop of nearly 3,300 meters. The extreme elevation difference and high flow velocity turned the slide into a devastating torrent, exponentially expanding the search-and-rescue area.

Rescue teams have been working around the clock, but they face formidable obstacles. The vast affected area makes locating survivors akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Two main access roads to Gyirong Port have been completely washed away, cutting off the quick movement of personnel, machinery, and supplies. One road along the Gyirong Zangbo River and another along the Donglin Zangbo River to Sale Township are both destroyed.

The rugged terrain further complicates efforts. Some ravines are only about 3 meters wide, preventing the entry of heavy equipment and limiting deployment space. Additionally, persistent rain, fog, and complex airflow hazards—including high-altitude ice and snow avalanches, strong crosswinds, and wind shear—have grounded aerial operations. Poor visibility and difficult landing conditions restrict air support.

As of 18:00 Saturday, the regional government confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing on the Chinese side. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported 734 bodies recovered and 2,498 people still missing as of 09:00 local time Sunday. The challenging conditions continue to impede the race against time to reach those trapped.