Nepal remained on high alert on Saturday as rescue operations continued after devastating flash floods and landslides struck the Nepal-China border region, leaving hundreds dead and thousands missing. The disaster has also created new glacial and landslide-dammed lakes, raising fears of another sudden flood in already devastated areas.

The latest reports put the combined death toll in Nepal and China's Tibet region at 633, including 626 deaths in Nepal and seven in Tibet. Nearly 3,000 people are still unaccounted for across the affected areas, although official figures continue to change as authorities receive new information and rescuers reach previously inaccessible locations. 

The disaster began on August 26 after a major collapse of ice, rock and debris in the Himalayan region triggered a powerful surge of water and mud. The resulting flash floods swept through parts of Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts and severely damaged roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure. The flood also devastated the Gyirong border area on the Tibetan side.

New Lakes Add to Flood Risk

One of the biggest concerns for authorities is the formation of water bodies behind landslide debris. Officials and scientists are monitoring newly formed lakes near the disaster zone because a sudden breach could send another destructive surge downstream.

Rescue operations were temporarily affected by concerns over rising water levels, while authorities continued assessing whether the natural barriers holding back the lakes were stable. Experts have warned that loose rock and debris could make such barriers vulnerable, although the immediate risk remains under close observation. 

Thousands Remain Unaccounted For

The number of missing people has fluctuated sharply as Nepalese and Chinese authorities update their records. A Reuters-based report put the combined number of missing people at nearly 3,000, including hundreds of foreign nationals. The figures include people who were travelling, working or living in the affected border region when the disaster struck. 

Among those affected are Indian nationals, including pilgrims and workers who were travelling through the region. Authorities in India and Nepal have been coordinating efforts to locate and evacuate citizens caught in the disaster.

India Steps Up Relief Efforts

India has expanded its humanitarian and rescue assistance to Nepal. The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that 84 Indian nationals have been rescued from flood-affected areas. India has also sent specialised medical and rescue personnel to assist the ongoing operations. 

Indian relief supplies have also reached Nepal as rescue teams work in difficult terrain. The assistance includes emergency supplies and specialised personnel needed for complex rescue operations, including work in areas affected by landslides and damaged infrastructure.

Roads and Bridges Severely Damaged

The floods have severely disrupted transport links across northern Nepal. Several roads and bridges have been destroyed or damaged, cutting off communities and making it difficult for rescue teams to reach isolated areas.

The destruction has also affected important routes connecting Nepal with Tibet. Rescue teams have had to rely on helicopters, boats, drones and difficult mountain routes to reach some of the worst-hit locations.

Rescue Operations Continue

More than 3,700 people have reportedly been rescued in Nepal, while emergency teams continue searching through mud, debris and damaged structures. Operations remain challenging because of bad weather, unstable terrain and the possibility of further flooding. 

In some locations, rescuers are also searching areas where workers and residents may still be trapped. Families of missing people have gathered at hospitals, relief centres and other locations while authorities continue efforts to establish the identities of those rescued or recovered.

International Assistance Arrives

The scale of the disaster has prompted assistance from several countries and international organisations. India, the United Nations, the Red Cross and other partners have provided humanitarian support as Nepal faces the enormous challenge of rescue, recovery and reconstruction.

The Nepalese government has also indicated that specialised international assistance could be important for difficult operations, including tunnel rescue, restoration of transport and communications networks, identification of victims and handling of recovered bodies. 

With thousands still missing and fresh flood risks being monitored, authorities remain focused on rescue operations while assessing the full scale of destruction caused by one of the region's most severe recent flood disasters.

Bringing massive relief from a punishing summer, the Southwest Monsoon officially made its onset over Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat on Wednesday. The arrival ends a tense nine-day delay, as the normal onset date for both states is June 15.

According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon currents have gained rapid momentum and are projected to sweep across the remaining parts of the central region within the next four days. With this latest advancement, the monsoon has now established its footprint across 22 states, keeping it on track to cover the rest of the country by July 5.

Northeast Devastated: Fatal Flash Floods in Arunachal

While central India celebrated the arrival of rain, extreme weather turned tragic in the northeast. Continuous torrential downpours over the past week culminated in severe flash floods on Wednesday morning in Arunachal Pradesh.

The worst impact was recorded at the NEEPCO Project Colony in the Yazali Circle of Keyi Panyor district, where sudden rushes of water swept through residential zones. Local disaster management officials confirmed that three people are missing and feared dead, while more than 18 houses have suffered extensive structural damage. Emergency rescue operations are heavily hampered as several low-lying pockets remain entirely cut off under deep water.

Mumbai Deluged: Subways Shut Down Within 24 Hours of Delayed Arrival

The developments come just a day after the monsoon made a chaotic entry into Mumbai on Tuesday, missing its standard June 10 schedule by nearly two weeks. The financial capital was battered by intense cloudbursts almost immediately upon arrival.

Rainfall telemetry records gathered between 8:00 AM on Tuesday and 7:00 AM on Wednesday revealed staggering numbers. The Malvani Fire Station registered a massive 334 mm of rainfall, closely followed by the F/South Ward at 328 mm. At least 27 other automated weather stations across municipal limits logged rainfall figures bouncing between 200 mm and 300 mm.

The sheer volume of water triggered immediate urban flooding. Municipal authorities were forced to shut down the crucial Andheri subway due to severe waterlogging, throwing suburban traffic into disarray. Structural damage was also reported from Vikhroli West, where a retaining wall flanking a residential complex gave way. Dozens of uprooted trees were reported by the civic body, crushing parked vehicles across multiple neighborhoods.

Rajasthan Receives Excess Rain; Heatwave Stubbornly Persists Elsewhere

In contrast to the delayed onset elsewhere, Rajasthan has unexpectedly logged a major rain surplus this pre-monsoon season. Between June 1 and June 21, the desert state recorded 39.3 mm of rainfall against its historical average of 28 mm—marking a 41% excess.

Meanwhile, parts of northern and eastern India witnessed volatile atmospheric transitions. A massive dust storm cut through Delhi-NCR on Tuesday afternoon, dragging visibility down sharply and creating twilight-like conditions during peak daylight hours. Heavy dust storms with winds peaking at 60 kmph also rattled six cities in Uttar Pradesh.

Despite the advancing monsoon wall, the IMD has maintained a severe heatwave warning. Temperatures crossed the 40°C threshold on Wednesday across major pockets of North and Central India. Banda in Uttar Pradesh emerged as the hottest spot nationally at 43.3°C.

IMD Weather Forecast Warning

The weather office has mapped out the following alerts for the next 48 hours:

Local administrations in the orange-alert zones have been advised to keep disaster response teams on standby, while residents in the heatwave belt are urged to minimize direct sun exposure as the monsoon slowly fights its way north.