Doha: The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to 903, while 4,247 people remain unaccounted for, according to the latest figures from the country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The disaster has also injured 267 people, while 20,819 security personnel have been deployed to carry out search, rescue, and relief operations in the affected areas, the authority said.
According to Qatar News Agency, separately, 933 people associated with hydropower projects remain missing, according to the latest government figures. Rescue teams have been working to reach hundreds of people believed to be trapped inside hydropower-project tunnels blocked by mud and debris.
The Kathmandu Post, citing the Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal, reported that more than 930 workers linked to 11 hydropower projects, including projects under construction, were missing following the floods.
The disaster struck on Wednesday after a massive flow of ice, rock, mud, and debris swept through the Nepal-Tibet border region and into the Bhote Koshi River. The flooding was caused by a glacier collapse.
Nepalese authorities warned on Sunday of the risk of further flooding and urged residents in areas affected by the recent floods to move to higher ground after water levels in the Bhote Koshi River rose.
Rescue teams continued searching for those missing and evacuating people stranded in affected areas, as further flooding and landslides complicated rescue operations.