Nepal Flash Floods LIVE: Death Toll Rises to 538; Fresh Flood Threat Remains

Kathmandu: Nepal’s devastating flash floods have claimed at least 538 lives, while 977 people remain missing, according to the latest update from Nepal’s disaster management authorities. Rescue and relief operations entered their third day on Friday after being briefly disrupted by fears of another flood wave from a barrier lake upstream +

 Fresh flood threat keeps rescuers on alert

Authorities remain highly cautious as water continues to pose a threat from lakes formed upstream of the disaster zone following the collapse of a glacier and massive landslide. Officials have warned that the danger will not fully subside until the threatened lakes have completely drained and downstream water levels return to safer conditions. 

 The earlier overflow forced a temporary halt to some rescue operations. Operations have since resumed after authorities assessed the immediate lake threat as manageable, but teams remain on high alert for another surge of water, mud and debris.

117 tourists rescued, 85 Indians among them A major relief development is the rescue of 117 tourists, including 85 Indian nationals, from flood-affected areas. Other rescued tourists include Chinese, South Korean, American and Italian nationals. 

Thousands of rescue personnel have been deployed across the worst-hit areas, with helicopters being used to evacuate stranded people and deliver emergency supplies. More than 90,000 people are estimated to have been affected by the disaster. 

Search for missing intensifies

 Despite the continuing rescue effort, the scale of the destruction remains enormous. Roads, bridges, settlements and other infrastructure have been swept away, making access to some of the worst-hit areas extremely difficult. Authorities are continuing searches for hundreds of missing people while families wait for information about relatives and tourists who remain unaccounted for

 The Nepal disaster is now being closely monitored for a possible second wave of flooding as authorities race to drain the upstream lakes and reach people still trapped or missing.