Flood Warnings Issued for Nighttime; Death and Missing Toll Exceed 3,000

[Anchor]

Flood warnings were issued overnight in the border region between Nepal and China, which has been struck by catastrophic floods and landslides. Amid growing concerns over the potential collapse of natural dams formed by the massive floods, the death toll has reached nearly 600, with close to 2,500 people reported missing.

Reporter Kim Minpyo has the details.

[Reporter]

Nepalese authorities issued another flood warning on the night of the 28th (local time), reporting that water levels in the Bhotekoshi River upstream of the disaster zone were rising again, and urged residents to evacuate.

This latest crisis alert follows an emergency evacuation order issued just hours earlier when a natural dam, or landslide-dammed lake formed by accumulated glaciers and debris, overflowed.

Rescue operations have been repeatedly suspended each time additional warnings are issued.

[Chinese Rescue Worker: We cleared the roads blocked by landslides and planned rescue operations, but they are currently on hold due to the possibility of a secondary collapse of the landslide-dammed lake.]

The combined death toll tallied by authorities in China and Nepal has risen to 586.

The number of missing people is approaching 2,500.

Hospitals and morgues continue to see a steady stream of people searching for missing family members with whom they have lost contact.

[Sushila Gurung / Family Member of Missing Person: Even when I call my son, the call doesn't go through. We haven't been able to find him...]

Rescue operations at a hydropower plant tunnel, where the Nepalese military has been deployed, are facing severe difficulties due to thick layers of mud covering the site.

It is estimated that around 100 people remain trapped inside the tunnel.

With overland access to the site remaining difficult, operations to airlift stranded residents to safety using helicopters are ongoing.

Chinese authorities stated that they are conducting multi-dimensional operations, including water access using rubber boats, searches in mountainous terrain, and aerial reconnaissance.

In particular, they have set up observation posts to monitor the natural dams in real time and prepare for potential additional flooding.

Video Editing: Choi Hye-young
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.