Nepal monitors growing lake that poses new flood threat

Rescue crews in Nepal have been extracting survivors by helicopter from valleys devastated by a catastrophic flash flood triggered by a glacier collapse on the Nepal-China border, as the death toll climbed past 500 and the government appealed Friday for international financial assistance while declining offers of foreign rescue teams.

Rescue Operations and Rising Death Toll

The disaster struck on Wednesday, August 26, when a glacier's lower section broke off near Nepal's border with Tibet, sending a wall of ice, mud and rock into river systems and triggering flood waves that levelled houses and tore away bridges. Nepal's disaster management authority said the death toll rose to 538 by Friday, with more than 3,700 people rescued. The Nepali Army said it had pulled around 350 people from a flooded hydropower tunnel at the Upper Trishuli-3A project, where more than 100 workers and residents had been trapped.earthsky+3

More than 1,500 people remain missing across Nepal and China, including 517 foreign nationals from over 30 countries. Among the missing are 178 Indians, 65 Americans, 51 Malaysians and nationals from dozens of other countries, according to Nepal Police.straitstimes

Nepal Declines Foreign Teams, Seeks Cash

Nepal's government turned down offers from India, China, the United States, Britain, Japan, South Korea and others to deploy search and rescue teams, stating its own security agencies can handle the operation. The decision was made on the recommendation of the Nepali Army and police, informed by coordination difficulties during the 2015 earthquake when competing foreign teams caused management problems.straitstimes

Instead, Nepal asked for financial contributions through a "one-door mechanism" via the Prime Minister Relief Fund. The U.S. announced $500,000 in initial funds and dispatched a disaster response adviser, while the Asian Development Bank offered a $2 million grant. India sent over 47.5 tonnes of relief supplies. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched a 25 million Swiss franc emergency appeal.reuters+3

Ongoing Flood Risk From Upstream Lakes

Authorities are now monitoring two lakes that formed upstream after the glacier collapse blocked river systems. One lake began overflowing on Friday, while satellite imagery showed a second, larger lake growing in size with no visible outlet, meaning water pressure may still be building. Nepal's Disaster Management Authority warned that flood risks will persist until both lakes have fully drained. The government plans to install cameras and sensors downstream near the border town of Timure and is assessing helicopter deployment options.devdiscourse