Flooding hits mountain valleys
Flash floods and mudslides have killed more than 1,000 people in Nepal. Thousands more are still missing. The disaster struck over the weekend after heavy rain pounded the Himalayas near the Nepal-China border.
Rescuers are racing to reach remote valleys. They are digging through tunnels filled with mud and clearing blocked roads. More than 4,400 people remain unaccounted for, officials say. Dozens of Americans are among those reported missing.
The flooding also hit a trade crossing at Gyirong Port, a key route between Nepal and China. More than 100 Indians are missing at that crossing, according to local reports. The crossing normally sees steady traffic from trucks moving goods between the two countries.
Rescue efforts face hard conditions
Rescue teams are working in difficult terrain. Landslides have cut off many roads, forcing workers to travel on foot. Helicopters have been used to reach isolated villages, and sniffer dogs are searching along debris-filled roads.
Mud-filled tunnels pose an added danger for search crews. Workers are moving carefully because the tunnels could collapse at any moment. Officials say the number of dead will likely keep climbing as more areas are reached.
World Central Kitchen has responded to what it calls "total devastation" in the region, delivering food to survivors. The group says many villages have been cut off from supplies for days.
Experts point to climate change
Experts say glacier-related floods are becoming more common as temperatures rise. Nepal and Tibet have seen several such events in recent years. A warmer climate can cause glaciers to melt faster and glacial lakes to burst, sending water and debris down mountain valleys.
The disaster has renewed calls for better early-warning systems in the Himalayas. Scientists say communities in steep valleys need more preparation for sudden floods and landslides. For now, the focus remains on finding survivors before the window for rescue closes.