Nepal issues fresh flood alert as Bhotekoshi waters rise, toll crosses 690
Nepal issued fresh flood warnings for three districts after China flagged increased upstream water flow. The combined death toll in Nepal and Tibet has reached 691.
Nepal's disaster management authorities issued fresh flood warnings on Sunday for residents in the Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts, following reports of renewed flooding in the Bhotekoshi river. The early-morning alerts came after Chinese authorities shared information indicating an increased water flow upstream.
In Dhading, parts of the main highway connecting Kathmandu to the rest of the country have begun to reopen after being shut down. However, there are concerns that supply shortages could emerge ahead of the autumn festival season. Local officials have advised residents to move to higher ground as river levels are rising and water is moving rapidly.
The scale of destruction is visible along the riverbanks, with entire homes, tractors, farming equipment and vehicles submerged in sediment. Many areas remain difficult to access, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
The combined death toll in Nepal and Tibet has risen to 691, with over 3,000 people still missing, according to the latest update from Chinese authorities on Sunday. China reported 16 deaths and 546 missing, while Nepal's disaster agency said late Saturday that the death toll had climbed to 675 with 2,498 people missing. More than 3,700 people have been rescued in Nepal so far.