China exerts tight grip on information after floods along the border with Nepal

BANGKOK (AP) – It's been more than a week since deadly flash floods killed hundreds and left thousands missing along the China-Nepal border – and practically nothing is known regarding the victims on the Chinese side.

What happened

Meanwhile, the disaster, which has killed more than 1, 000 individuals and left more than 4, 500 missing in the two countries, has once again highlighted China's tight grip on information surrounding disasters and its efforts to control what is – and is not – stated regarding them.

For context, the death toll is updated only once every few days, and access to the disaster area has been granted only to top-level state media outlets. It have avoided broadcasting the names or faces of the missing and their relatives in favor of videos showing the logistics of delivering aid or rescue dogs working hard.

Meanwhile, at least 10 individuals throughout China have been detained or fined for social media posts that questioned aspects of the official narrative.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around china exerts tight grip on information after floods along the border with point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.