Official figures from Nepal and China put the disaster's toll at 1,003 deaths and 4,462 missing people. Foreign nationals account for 844 of those missing.
3,916 people missing in Nepal
The Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority announced that search and rescue teams had recovered the bodies of 84 more people. The death toll on the Nepalese side has consequently risen to 987.
Search operations are continuing for 3,916 people in Nepal, including 583 foreign nationals. The missing also include 639 employees working at hydroelectric power plants.
546 people being searched for on Chinese side
Chinese officials said that 16 people had died on their side of the border and that 546 people, including 261 foreign nationals, were missing. The figures released by Nepal and China bring the disaster's total death toll to 1,003 and the number missing to 4,462.
Indian nationals make up the majority of the missing foreign nationals. The list includes 275 Indian and 100 Chinese citizens.
Glacier collapse turned into debris flow
The floods and mudflows began on August 26 after a glacier located at an altitude of approximately 5,200 meters on Mount Langtang Lirung collapsed. An avalanche of ice and rock turned into a massive debris flow that swept through valleys along the border.
In Nepal, the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Kavre, as well as the Kathmandu Valley, suffered heavy damage from floodwaters and mudflows. The Gyirong border crossing in southwestern Tibet, which connects with Nepal, was also buried under debris on the Chinese side.
Search and rescue operations continue under difficult conditions
Rugged terrain, damaged roads and destruction to critical infrastructure are making it difficult for teams to communicate. China, South Korea and India sent teams to support search and rescue operations.
Nepal requested freezer units for use in the disaster zone after the bodies are recovered, along with DNA testing kits, remote-sensing technology and drones to map search areas.
In interviews conducted by Chinese state media with search and rescue teams, the teams said they reached the Gyirong border crossing after a 10-hour walk. The teams found no trace of buildings or other infrastructure on the Chinese side.
