Number of people missing after Nepal flash floods jumps significantly to nearly 2,000

Rescuers in Nepal and Tibet are scrambling to search for survivors after Wednesday's flash flood destroyed homes, swamped roads and swept away bridges.

At least 1,924 people are missing in Nepal, the country's disaster relief agency says.

Among them are at least 517 foreign nationals, but the situation is fast-moving and different authorities have produced different figures.

The death toll in Nepal has risen to 579, the disaster relief agency says, and at least seven people have died in Tibet, with 554 missing.

Hundreds of foreign nationals are desperately waiting to hear from loved ones thought to be caught in the deadly flash flood and mudslide along the Nepal-Tibet border.

According to Nepal police, more than 500 tourists are missing from 28 different countries, including the US, Australia, Canada, India, and the UK.

About 90 US citizens may have been impacted by the floods, the State Department said on Thursday, confirming that five Americans in Nepal have made their way to safety. The region is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists, and visited by tens of thousands of pilgrims each year.

The State Department said that the US embassy in Nepal was working closely with local tour agencies and authorities to assist affected Americans.

Millions in international aid being spent on rescue effort.
The US embassy in Nepal says it sent an initial shipment of emergency supplies, including more than 2.5 tons of food and supplies for two schools being used as shelters in Rasuwa.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said earlier it had mobilized "its entire global network", having also launched an emergency appeal for $31m to support the "immediate lifesaving response".

Destroyed roads, rain, and fears for further floods pose challenges for rescue teams

Nepali officials say that around 4,000 people have been rescued there. Separately the tourism board reports that more than 100 tourists have been found

But the destruction of key infrastructure like roads and bridges is making reaching the worst-hit areas incredibly challenging. Heavy rain since the flash floods has added to the challenge.

China temporarily paused rescue efforts over fears that a lake - which formed in the aftermath of Wednesday's flooding - could burst, triggering further flooding.

China's armed forces has said heavy rain over the weekend could complicate rescue efforts, as "mudslides may occur in some areas".

Searches have since resumed, but the Chinese military has warned more rain forecast over the weekend could further complicate rescue efforts and "mudslides may occur in some areas". (Source: BBC News)