LIVE Death toll rises in Nepal-China border disaster as lake poses new flood threat

Death toll rises in Nepal-China border disaster as lake poses new flood threat.

Key points

• Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Authority notes the death toll in flash floods has risen to 538.
• Randhir Jaiswal, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman, remarked to journalists that 320 Indian nationals remain uncontactable.
• The authority remarked in an update Friday that the number of missing residents remained at 977 while 3, 742 individuals have been rescued.
• Nepali police say the death toll there has risen to 553, and the disaster management authority remarked Friday that 977 residents were still unaccounted for.
• Nepal police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle informed The Associated Press that the rescue operation is continuing but with authorities remaining on high alert.

After massive flash floods struck the area, CCTV footage indicated floodwaters and debris sweeping through Gyirong Port near the Nepal-China border on Wednesday. Edited By BRIDGET BROWN and BRIAN P. D. HANNON.

Today's live updates have concluded. See what you missed below and find more of our reporting at apnews.com.

Rescuers worked through mud and debris Friday in areas devastated by a catastrophic flash flood along the Himalayan border between Nepal and China, continuing the search for hundreds of individuals still missing as the death toll rose and authorities cautioned that a newly formed, overflowing lake could trigger further flooding.

Nepali police say the death toll there has risen to 553, and the disaster management authority remarked Friday that 977 residents were still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, there is little information on survivors on the Chinese side, where the death toll rose to five Friday and China state media documented 558 residents were missing.

Flood survivors, including injured individuals, were taken to Kathmandu and other locations. Foreigners from multiple countries were among the missing, plenty of of them trekkers and pilgrims. Nepal does not need foreign search and rescue teams 'for now'.

Nepal remarked it does not need foreign search and rescue teams 'for now.'

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri remarked domestic personnel are managing the immediate crisis but remain open to targeted international technical backing.

"Our security agencies are handling the rescue operations well, so for now, we do not need any rescue teams from other countries, " he remarked. "But it doesn't mean that we don't need any kind of backing. We might need expertise and based on the specific requirements, we will take it." China notes water level of barrier lake has receded.

Notably, the water level of a barrier lake that was formed after the floods has fallen, the state broadcaster China Central Television noted, citing data by China's Ministry of Water Resources.

Notably, the water level has dropped 10 meters (32 feet) from the high point on Thursday morning, the state broadcaster remarked. India notes 320 of its citizens remain out of contact.

He remarked 96 Indians who were stranded on the Chinese side have crossed over to Nepal by land and efforts were being produced to evacuate them.

India additionally will send another flight with relief supplies along with a tunnel rescue team, Jaiswal stated.

One portable, prefabricated bridge has additionally been sent to Nepal to assist restore connectivity in the flood-affected areas, he noted. Why a newly formed lake is sparking fears of more flooding.

Even as rescuers worked through mud and debris Friday in areas devastated by the floods, authorities cautioned that a newly formed, overflowing lake could trigger further flooding.

Nepalese authorities remarked all security personnel, rescue workers and members of the public deployed in rescue and relief efforts have been informed to remain on high alert and immediately move to a safe location if necessary.

Nepal police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle informed The Associated Press that the rescue operation is continuing but with authorities remaining on high alert. "It hasn't stopped, " he remarked.

Satellite imagery shown by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV seems to indicate that the newly formed lake was in the same area as where the glacial detachment event happened on Wednesday that resulted in the chain of events leading to catastrophic damage downstream.

According to Nepal's disaster management authority, satellite imagery and preliminary assessments indicate that the river has been blocked upstream, creating a growing lake that could burst and trigger a sudden downstream flood. Japan foreign minister notes emergency relief team starting operations.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi remarked Friday that two members of an emergency relief team were set to start their operations at the disaster site in Nepal.

Japan additionally has decided to provide emergency relief goods at the request of Nepal and will provide further backing as needed, Motegi remarked. Nepal's national disaster authority raises death toll to 538.

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Authority notes the death toll in flash floods has risen to 538. Nepali police afterwards put the number of deaths higher at 547.

Meanwhile, the authority remarked in an update Friday that the number of missing residents remained at 977 while 3, 742 individuals have been rescued.

Meanwhile, the authority remarked 14, 829 security personnel have been mobilized for search and rescue operations.

For now, lIVE  Death toll rises in Nepal-China border disaster as lake poses new flood remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.