The death toll from catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border has risen to at least 919, while nearly 4,800 people remain missing as rescue operations entered a sixth day on Monday.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said 903 people had been confirmed dead in the country, with another 4,247 missing following Wednesday’s disaster.
Chinese authorities have reported 16 deaths and 546 people missing in Tibet, bringing the combined figures from Nepal and China to 919 dead and 4,793 missing.
The number of people unaccounted for in Nepal has risen sharply as authorities receive updated information from remote and badly affected areas. The disaster agency said 3,655 Nepalese citizens and 592 foreign nationals were among those missing.
The toll includes hundreds of people working on infrastructure projects along rivers devastated by the torrent. Authorities said 933 hydropower workers remained unaccounted for.
The largest increase was reported in Nuwakot district, where the number of missing surged to 1,158 from 115 reported a day earlier. Another 562 people remain missing in neighbouring Rasuwa district.
Nepal’s security and government services have also suffered significant losses. Those still unaccounted for include 45 Nepalese Army soldiers, 38 police and armed police personnel, and 19 customs and immigration officers.
The effects of the disaster have extended into neighbouring India. Authorities in Uttar Pradesh said 17 bodies had been recovered from rivers flowing downstream from Nepal and were believed to be victims of the floods.
Indian officials are working to establish their identities. The 17 bodies have not yet been included in the official death toll.
Rescue and recovery operations are continuing across the Himalayan disaster zone as authorities attempt to locate thousands of missing residents, foreign nationals and workers six days after the floods struck.