Devastating floods and landslides in Nepal have killed at least 794 people, according to the latest figures from Nepal Police. More than 2,500 people are still missing, while thousands of others have been rescued.
The disaster began after heavy rain caused powerful flash floods and landslides in areas near the Nepal-Tibet border. The floods swept through villages, roads, bridges, homes and other buildings, leaving large areas badly damaged.
Rescue teams are now working around the clock to find survivors and help people who are still trapped or cut off from the outside world.
One of the most difficult rescue operations is taking place at the Trishuli-3A hydropower project. Hundreds of workers are believed to be trapped inside a tunnel after floodwater and debris blocked parts of the site.
Nepal's prime minister's office says the rescue operation has been intensified. A team of about 90 people, including soldiers, police officers and trained rescue dogs, has been sent to the area.
Rescuers managed to create a small opening in the roof of the tunnel and began pumping air inside. They also used ropes to enter the area and tried to contact people who might be trapped underground.
However, officials say they have so far received no response from inside the tunnel. Heavy rain, rising water and dangerous conditions have made the rescue operation extremely difficult.
Experts from India and China are also helping Nepal with the tunnel rescue operation. Helicopters have been used to transport heavy machinery and equipment to areas that are difficult to reach by road.
The floods have also badly affected schools. Nepal's education ministry says at least 19 schools in the worst-hit districts have been affected. Nine schools have been destroyed and seven others have suffered partial damage.
More than 200 students are reported missing, while around 20 students are believed to have been swept away by the floodwaters. Several schools in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts were flooded or buried by mud and debris.
However, there have also been stories of people being saved in time.
One school headteacher in Nuwakot, Rajendra Dawadi, evacuated around 900 students after receiving several warnings that floodwaters were moving toward the area. He said he decided not to wait because even a short delay could have put the students' lives at risk.
One of the students, 16-year-old Yunisha, said she and her friends survived by only a few seconds. She described seeing parts of the nearby town being swept away by the flood.
Another emotional rescue involved a five-year-old girl named Manisha, who was found alive under rubble two days after the floods. Rescue workers had initially been searching the area after hearing what they thought was a cat trapped under the debris.
After finding the girl, rescuers spent about two hours freeing her. She was weak and barely responsive, but eventually recovered enough to receive food and water. She was later taken to a hospital in Kathmandu, where officials said she was in a stable condition and recovering.
Many families are still desperately searching for missing relatives. People have been seen checking lists of survivors and using mobile phone lights at night while waiting for information.
The disaster has also affected foreign tourists. Nepal's Tourism Board says hundreds of foreign nationals have been rescued, but many others remain out of contact. Missing people include citizens of India, China, the United States, Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada, among other countries.
Across the border in Tibet, Chinese state media reports that 16 people have died and 546 remain missing following a major landslide and flood. Rescue teams are continuing their search, but officials say finding survivors has become increasingly difficult several days after the disaster.
In Nepal's worst-hit areas, the situation remains critical. Some communities, particularly in Rasuwa district, are still without electricity, roads and regular supplies. Residents say they have struggled to contact relatives and obtain food and other basic necessities.
Authorities and rescue workers are continuing efforts to reopen roads, deliver aid and reach isolated communities.
The scale of the disaster is still becoming clear, and officials warn that the number of deaths and missing people could change as rescue teams reach more affected areas.
Summary
Devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal have killed at least 794 people, while more than 2,500 others remain missing. Rescue teams are working to reach hundreds of workers believed trapped inside a hydropower tunnel. More than 200 school students are also reported missing, while thousands of rescuers continue search and relief operations across the worst-hit areas.
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