Nepal Flood Toll Rises to 626 Dead Amid Ongoing Search for Russian Pilgrims

Reuters reported that the death toll from devastating floods in Nepal has risen to 626, with search operations ongoing for hundreds of people still unaccounted for.

Search for Russian Pilgrims Enters Fourth Day

Volunteer teams have carried out search efforts for a group of Russian pilgrims for four consecutive days in the area hit hardest by the floods — the border region between Nepal and China.

Darina, a Russian tourist who arrived in Kathmandu, said: “I learned that one of my acquaintances was part of the group heading to Kailash. They were scheduled to reach the China-Nepal border crossing on Wednesday morning. But I am now unable to contact her… and I know volunteers have been searching for their group for more than three days.”

Darina added that the missing group includes Russian pilgrims as well as numerous local tour guides.

Floods Triggered by Severe River Swelling

The Gyirong border crossing area — located on the frontier between China and Nepal — experienced landslides and torrential flooding on 26 August. The disaster struck both China’s Tibet Autonomous Region and northern Nepal after the mountainous Bhotekoshi River surged to dangerously high levels.