[Anchor]

Additional flood overflow warnings were issued overnight in the border regions between Nepal and China, which have been struck by catastrophic floods and landslides. Amid concerns that natural dams formed by the massive floods could collapse further, the death toll has surpassed 600, with the number of missing approaching 3,000.

Reporter Kim Minpyo has the details.

[Reporter]

Nepalese authorities issued another overflow warning late on the 28th local time, reporting that water levels in the Bote Koshi River upstream of the disaster zones were rising again, and urged residents to evacuate.

This comes just hours after emergency evacuation orders were issued following the overflow of a natural dam, or ice-dammed lake, formed by accumulated glaciers and debris, triggering yet another crisis alert.

Rescue operations have been temporarily suspended every time additional warnings are issued.

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

The combined death toll tallied by China and Nepal has risen to 633.

The number of missing people is nearing 3,000.

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 a hydropower plant tunnel, where the Nepalese military has been deployed, are facing difficulties due to thick layers of mud covering the site and worsening weather conditions.

The Nepalese military announced it would suspend helicopter flights until weather conditions improve.

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

Chinese authorities also stated 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 dam in real time to prepare for potential additional floods.

Chinese rescue teams arrived at the site of a former border checkpoint building, only to find that the structure had vanished without a trace and no survivors were found.

(Video Editing: Choi Hye-young)