[Anchor]

Additional flood warnings were issued overnight in the border regions of Nepal and China, which have been struck by catastrophic floods and landslides. Amid concerns that natural dams formed by the massive floods could suffer further collapses, the death toll is approaching 600, with nearly 2,500 people reported missing.

Reporter Kim Minpyo has the details.

[Reporter]

Nepalese authorities issued another flood warning and urged residents to evacuate after the water level of the Bhotekoshi River in the upper reaches of the disaster zone rose again on the night of the 28th local time.

This latest crisis alert comes shortly after an emergency evacuation order was issued following the overflow of a landslide- and glacier-formed natural dam, or landslide-dammed lake, just hours earlier.

Rescue operations are being temporarily suspended with each issuance of additional alerts.

[Chinese Rescue Worker: We cleared paths blocked by landslides and planned rescue operations, but operations are currently on hold due to the possibility of further collapses 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 are crowded with people searching for family members with whom they have lost contact.

[Sushila Gurung / Family Member of Missing Person: Even when I call my son, the call won't go through. We still haven't found him...]

Rescue operations at the 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, mountain searches, and aerial reconnaissance.

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

(Video Editing: Choi Hye-young)