Beijing says it stands with neighbor as deaths exceed 350, hundreds missing

Police in Nepal said on Thursday that the death toll from flash floods that tore through three northern districts a day earlier had exceeded 350, with hundreds more people still missing.

"As of 5 pm Thursday, 359 people have died," Nepal Police said in a statement. Officials said the disaster could be one of the country's deadliest in decades.

The floods struck after an avalanche blocked the Lhende tributary of the Bhotekoshi River, sending a wall of water crashing into Timure, a bustling settlement in Rasuwa district near the border with China.

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The torrent swept away entire neighborhoods, bridges, hydropower projects and other infrastructure, The Kathmandu Post reported. The worst-hit areas are popular with trekkers, river rafters and Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung said the focus remained on finding survivors, as rescue teams located 100 missing Indian visitors, mostly pilgrims, in the worst-hit area around the Trishuli river.

More than 650 foreigners remained unaccounted for, while Nepali authorities had yet to determine the number of missing locals.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah extended "heartfelt condolences" to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The national disaster authority held an emergency meeting to accelerate search, rescue and relief operations, Shah said. The Nepali Army has rescued 116 people from Timure.

Essential supplies, including generators, portable mobile towers, medical kits and tents, were being sent to the hardest-hit districts, he said.

Temporary mobile connectivity and phone-charging stations will soon be set up to help families stay in contact with loved ones, he added. The measures are aimed at restoring communications in communities where bridges, roads and power lines have been damaged.

Shah visited the hard-hit district of Nuwakot on Thursday to assess the damage and meet local officials on rescue and relief efforts, rehabilitation, and infrastructure restoration, local media reported.

Jai Kamakhya Prasad Kalwar, a shopkeeper in Dhunche town, Rasuwa, recalled how he and his neighbors fled as floodwaters swept through the area.

"We ran to save our lives, and we are safe for now," Kalwar said. He left everything behind, including his home and shop.

"No one here has a house left," he added.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming expressed China's deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and all those affected, as well as to the government and people of Nepal.

"China stands firmly with Nepal at this difficult time," Zhang told Nepal's state-run NTV World.

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Beijing will continue to closely monitor the developments and do its utmost to provide all possible support and assistance, he said.

"We have been working closely with the Nepali side and supporting each other in responding to the disaster," he said. "I'm sure by joining hands together, we will overcome the difficulties and rebuild our beautiful homes."

The Chinese embassy has activated its emergency response mechanism, assessed the situation of Chinese citizens and enterprises in the affected areas, and urged the Nepali government and relevant authorities to make every effort to carry out rescue operations, Zhang said.

The embassy has also dispatched a working team to the affected areas to coordinate and facilitate rescue efforts on the ground, he added.

Rajneesh Bhandari in Trishuli Bazaar, Nepal, and agencies contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at prime@chinadailyapac.com