Nepal floods: China announces USD 2.2 million aid as 903 people are killed and thousands missing

Pic/AFP

China has provided USD 2.2 million in financial assistance to Nepal to support victims of the devastating flash floods that have killed hundreds of people and caused widespread destruction across parts of the Himalayan nation.

The assistance was announced as Nepal's flood death toll rose to 903 on Monday, with rescue teams continuing to recover bodies and thousands of people still reported missing following the disaster.

According to the Nepal government, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang also conveyed condolences over the loss of lives and extensive damage caused by the floods.

Chinese government hands over NPR 350 million in assistance

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming handed over a cheque for NPR 350 million, equivalent to around USD 2 million, to Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle on Sunday, Nepal's Finance Ministry said.

The amount was provided as financial assistance from the Chinese government for people affected by the disaster.

The Chinese envoy also handed over an additional USD 200,000 in assistance from the Chinese Red Cross to the Nepal government, taking the total announced support to USD 2.2 million.

"Nepal is not alone in this disaster; China is always with Nepal," Zhang told Wagle, conveying a message on behalf of Xi and Li, according to the ministry.

The Chinese leadership expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and destruction caused by the disaster and conveyed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, the Finance Ministry said.

Flood death toll rises as thousands remain missing

The financial assistance comes as the scale of the disaster continues to emerge.

Nepal's flash flood death toll rose to 903 on Monday, while nearly 4,250 people remained missing, according to the latest available figures.

Search and rescue operations have continued in several affected areas as authorities attempt to locate missing residents and assess damage to infrastructure.

The high number of people still unaccounted for has raised concerns that the death toll could increase further as rescue workers reach isolated locations and recover more bodies.

The floods have affected communities across northern and central Nepal, damaging homes, transport infrastructure and hydropower facilities.

Ice and rock collapse near border believed to have triggered disaster

The disaster is believed to have been triggered by the collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26.

The incident sent large volumes of water and debris into the Bhotekoshi River system, triggering destructive flash floods downstream.

The Bhotekoshi River flows south from the Himalayan border region, carrying floodwaters through populated areas in Nepal.

Homes, vehicles, roads and bridges were swept away or severely damaged as the floodwaters moved downstream. Several hydropower projects were also affected.

Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage, particularly in areas where roads and communication links have been disrupted.

Disaster also affects communities on Chinese side of border

The disaster has also had consequences on the Chinese side of the border.

According to Chinese media reports, at least 16 people were killed in the flooding and related disaster in China.

Nearly 550 people were also reported missing in Tibet, highlighting the scale of the event across the Himalayan border region.

(With inputs from PTI)