KATHMANDU (Kashmir English): The death toll from devastating floods in Nepal has risen to 626, with 2,000 people still missing, the BBC reported, citing officials.
A glacier in the Himalayan mountains burst its banks, sending a torrent of water, ice, rocks, mud and debris into rivers, destroying villages and valleys along the way.
Power plants, roads and bridges have also been severely affected by the floods.
Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah said rescue operations were underway, with rescue teams rescuing 4,451 people on Friday.
Nepal’s Finance Minister says that Nepal will need 4 to 5 billion dollars for reconstruction. It will take time to assess the damage caused by the floods. According to initial estimates, the restoration will cost billions of dollars.
According to the Disaster Management Authority, 800 foreign nationals are among the missing. The Nepal Tourism Board says that 121 foreign nationals have been rescued so far, including 2 American citizens.
On the other hand, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that 320 Indian nationals are missing due to the floods in Nepal.
Rescue teams in the affected areas are searching for possible survivors using heavy machinery, while helicopters are delivering relief supplies to people stranded in remote areas. Rescue personnel have also found bodies with the help of trained dogs.
According to Chinese media, water has started to spill out of the lake that caused flooding in Tibet once again, causing relief operations in Tibet and Nepal to be temporarily halted.
