The death toll from catastrophic flash floods and landslides triggered by an ice-rock avalanche along the Tibet border has risen to 788, with thousands of people still missing or uncontactable, according to the Andhra Pradesh government.
In an update issued on Monday at 7 am, the state government said an estimated 2,500-3,000 people remain missing or uncontactable, while more than 8,700 people have been evacuated by security forces.
Multiple Indian nationals also remain untraceable following the massive floods and landslides in Nepal. Authorities said 149-180 Indians have been evacuated, while around 275-320 remain missing or uncontactable.
Among those unaccounted for are 14 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, including seven from the state and seven non-resident Indians.
Meanwhile, 20 Telugu pilgrims safely reached Kathmandu from Tibet after surviving the devastating floods that swept across Nepal. According to the Andhra Pradesh government, 144 pilgrims were evacuated from Saga County in Tibet and crossed into Nepal through the Kodari checkpoint at around 11 pm on Sunday.
The group includes 20 Telugu pilgrims, among them Sastry and three members of his family. They are scheduled to travel to Mumbai on Tuesday before proceeding to their respective destinations.
State authorities are maintaining continuous coordination with Nepalese officials to track and rescue stranded Indian citizens as secondary risks emerge, including a potentially dangerous temporary lake formed in Tibet following the severe flooding.
Nearly 20,000 security personnel and 14 military helicopters have been deployed for rescue and relief operations, while six specialised surgical teams are providing emergency medical assistance.
India’s specialised tunnel-rescue team and technical experts are also assisting operations at the Trishuli-3A hydropower tunnel, where workers remain trapped.
The Andhra Pradesh government said more than 25 miles of roads and 40 suspension bridges have reportedly been destroyed. Heavy rainfall, landslides, blocked valleys and the formation of a temporary lake in Tibet continue to pose serious secondary risks.
-ANI
