Nepal is facing a massive recovery challenge after the devastating floods and landslides of August 26 killed more than 1,300 people and left over 5,000 missing. The disaster, linked to a glacial collapse in the Himalayan region, has destroyed homes and critical infrastructure and left the country seeking billions of dollars for reconstruction.

Nepal is now seeking around $5 billion in international assistance for the initial phase of rebuilding, with officials expected to approach international financial institutions and donor countries for support. The government has also framed the appeal as a matter of climate justice, arguing that vulnerable countries such as Nepal face severe climate-related disasters despite contributing relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Death Toll Crosses 1,300 as Search Operations Continue

The human toll continues to rise as rescue teams search through debris and damaged infrastructure.

Recent reports put the death toll at more than 1,300, while more than 5,000 people remain missing. The disaster has affected areas of Nepal as well as China's Tibet region, with foreign nationals among those still unaccounted for.

Rescue teams have been working across difficult mountain terrain, damaged roads and hydropower facilities. Several international teams, including specialists from India, China and South Korea, are assisting Nepalese authorities.

Hydropower Projects Become Major Rescue Zones

The disaster has particularly affected Nepal's hydropower sector, with workers trapped or missing at several project sites.

Around 900 hydropower workers were reported missing during the early stages of the rescue effort, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped inside tunnels. International specialists have joined Nepalese rescuers in attempts to reach workers through damaged tunnel systems.

The rescue operation has already produced some breakthroughs. A Chinese worker was rescued from a hydropower tunnel after rescuers reached him more than 200 metres inside the structure. Other survivors have also been pulled from damaged areas days after the disaster.

India Steps Up Relief and Rescue Assistance

India has expanded its humanitarian assistance to Nepal as rescue and recovery operations continue.

Recent Indian assistance includes more than 130 tonnes of relief material delivered through multiple flights and the deployment of 54 specialised personnel for tunnel rescue, forensic and medical operations. The equipment supplied includes rescue gear, generators, lighting equipment, pumps and other material needed in difficult terrain.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said India had supplied relief material and deployed tunnel rescue experts, forensic specialists and medical personnel to assist Nepal's authorities.

Roads, Bridges and Power Infrastructure Hit Hard

The disaster has caused extensive damage to infrastructure that is essential for Nepal's economy and connectivity.

Roads, bridges, homes, hydropower facilities and cross-border trade routes have been damaged or destroyed. The Gyirong border crossing between Nepal and Tibet was also devastated, disrupting an important trade and transport route.

Hydropower is another major concern because the sector is central to Nepal's electricity generation and economic plans. Several facilities were damaged in the disaster, adding to the long-term reconstruction burden.

Nepal Seeks Global Support for Long Recovery

The scale of destruction means Nepal's challenge now extends well beyond immediate rescue operations.

The country's government estimates that billions of dollars will be needed to rebuild infrastructure and restore livelihoods. Reuters reported that Nepal's initial international funding appeal covers the first phase of recovery and is being discussed with institutions including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

For Nepal, the priority is shifting from saving lives to rebuilding communities while continuing searches for thousands of missing people.

The disaster has also renewed questions about climate resilience, glacier monitoring and the vulnerability of Himalayan infrastructure to extreme events. Nepal is expected to push the issue of climate finance and support for climate-vulnerable nations on international platforms in the coming weeks.

The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to 235, with over 4,300 people injured and more than 39,000 still missing, according to Venezuelan authorities. Rescue teams continue to pull survivors from the rubble even as fears grow that the final numbers could be much higher.

The powerful quakes hit on a national holiday, when many were indoors watching football matches. The worst-affected region is the northern coastal state of La Guaira, where over 100 buildings have collapsed and more than 70,000 families have been impacted. Local media reported voices still being heard from under debris, giving faint hope amid the destruction.

In a swift show of solidarity, India has launched ‘Operation Amistad’ to support the earthquake-hit nation. Two Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft have been dispatched carrying an Indian Army field hospital unit and more than 35 tonnes of relief supplies. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India stands with the Venezuelan people and is committed to providing all possible assistance during this crisis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and conveyed India’s support. The move comes as several countries rush aid and rescue teams to the South American nation.

International response has been fast. Rescue teams from El Salvador, Switzerland, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, and others have reached Venezuela. The United States has sent warships, aircraft, and announced $150 million in aid, while also temporarily easing some sanctions to facilitate relief. China, Brazil, Türkiye, and Spain are among those sending personnel, equipment, and supplies. The UN has released emergency funds and mobilised search teams, with UNICEF highlighting the urgent needs of thousands of affected children.

On the ground, the situation remains grim. Many residents spent the night in open parks and streets, afraid to return to damaged buildings due to strong aftershocks. Internet disruptions have further complicated rescue and coordination efforts. In La Guaira, families have been seen digging through rubble with bare hands in desperate attempts to find loved ones.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has been visiting affected areas, including Macuto, to meet survivors. The government is increasing emergency personnel in the worst-hit zones.

The earthquakes have struck at a difficult time for Venezuela, already grappling with political and economic challenges. Experts warn the disaster could exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. The US Geological Survey has indicated a significant probability that the toll could rise further.

Several foreign nationals are among the dead and missing, including citizens from Spain, Brazil, China, Italy, and Portugal. Spain alone has confirmed two deaths with around 80 nationals still unaccounted for. Starlink has offered free satellite internet for a month to help restore connectivity in the affected regions.

Rescue operations are expected to intensify in the coming days with more international teams arriving. Voices of hope persist as one woman was pulled alive from rubble more than 24 hours after the quakes. However, with many buildings reduced to rubble, the coming hours and days will be critical.

India’s Operation Amistad reflects the country’s growing role in global humanitarian efforts. The supplies and medical team are expected to bolster on-ground medical care and relief distribution in the coming days.

As Venezuela battles one of its worst natural disasters in recent history, the focus remains on saving as many lives as possible. Further updates on the rescue efforts and rising casualty figures are awaited as the situation continues to evolve.

The 7.5 magnitude quake is the strongest to hit the country since 1900; international rescue teams are being deployed as acting president declares a state of emergency.

At least 164 people have been confirmed dead and nearly 1,000 injured after two powerful earthquakes — measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude — struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, reducing buildings to rubble and triggering widespread panic across the capital and coastal regions.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who announced the death toll on Thursday, described the situation as a "true tragedy." The number of casualties is expected to rise significantly. A website tracking missing persons has listed over 7,380 people as unaccounted for as of Thursday afternoon.

The first quake struck about 160 km west of Caracas at a depth of 13 km. Less than a minute later, a second, stronger tremor of 7.5 magnitude hit near Morón at a depth of just 10 km. The shallower depth meant more intense ground shaking, causing severe damage across a wide area.

This is Venezuela's strongest earthquake event in 126 years, surpassing any since the magnitude 7.7 quake of 1900.

La Guaira Becomes 'Disaster Zone'

The port city of La Guaira, north of Caracas, has been the worst-hit area. Officials said at least 15 buildings collapsed there, with rescue teams continuing to search for survivors. Acting President Rodríguez described the area as a "disaster zone."

In Caracas, several residential buildings collapsed, including a five-flat structure in the San Bernardino district. The Chacao municipality reported four building collapses and at least one death, with 30 other structures deemed structurally compromised.

Rescue workers have pulled several survivors from the debris. Three children were rescued alive from a collapsed building in La Guaira. In the Baruta municipality, search operations were completed after three people were confirmed dead in the Las Minas de Baruta parish.

Internet Disrupted, Gas Supply Cut

Internet connectivity across Venezuela dropped to 59% of normal levels shortly after the quakes, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. The disruption, linked to power outages and infrastructure damage, has hampered information flow from affected areas.

Venezuela's interior minister said gas supplies were temporarily cut off as a precaution while authorities assess damage to prevent gas-related accidents.

The Simon Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía sustained significant damage and remains closed. Schools have been ordered closed nationwide, with some buildings being converted into relief shelters.

USGS Warns Death Toll Could Cross 10,000

The US Geological Survey has issued a red alert — the highest warning level — estimating that fatalities could range between 10,000 and 100,000. The agency puts a 44% chance that the death toll exceeds 10,000 and a 30% chance it surpasses 100,000.

The estimate is based on the earthquake's magnitude, depth, ground shaking, population exposure, and comparisons to similar past events. The final toll will depend on factors like building quality and the time of day the quake struck.

International Response Pours In

US President Donald Trump pledged "a whole-of-government response" to the disaster, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying it will be "big, fast, and effective."

Several nations have offered assistance:

- El Salvador: 300 rescuers and 50 tonnes of equipment ready for deployment

- Germany: Six A400M military transport aircraft on standby

- Switzerland: 80 rescue workers and 18 tonnes of equipment being sent

- EU: Copernicus satellite surveillance activated

- UN: Specialist rescue teams certified by the UN are en route

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and said India stands ready to assist in every possible way.

A City in Shock

Luis Alejandro Ruiz Garcia, a 25-year-old Caracas resident, described scenes of devastation. He received a Google earthquake alert moments before violent shaking cracked a wall in his home. "When we went downstairs, it looked like something out of a horror movie. We had to climb over the rubble from the building. You could hear the banging and the screams of people calling for help."

Another resident, Maria Alejandra, told Al Jazeera: "The walls had fallen, the bars were broken. I only saw one family make it out."

The earthquake struck in the evening, and rescue teams have been working through the rubble all night. The government has declared a nationwide state of emergency.

Japan Also Hit by 6.9 Magnitude Quake

In a separate development, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Japan's northeastern coast. Authorities reported no tsunami threat and no major damage or casualties so far. Bullet train services between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori were temporarily suspended as a precaution.