Rescue teams searched through mud, rocks and debris along the Nepal-China border Tuesday as the death toll from catastrophic flash floods rose above 1,000 and thousands remained missing.
Nepal’s disaster agency recorded 1,003 deaths and 3,916 missing people, including 583 foreign nationals, while China reported 16 deaths and 546 missing, including 261 foreigners.
The United Nations said late Tuesday that more than 4,200 people remained missing overall as search operations continued nearly a week after the Aug. 26 disaster.
Landslides, destroyed roads and widespread damage have complicated efforts to reach isolated Himalayan communities.
Nepalese authorities said at least 11,814 people had been rescued, with helicopters and other aircraft carrying personnel and assistance into areas cut off by damaged roads and bridges.
About 900 workers remain missing from 12 damaged hydropower projects in Nepal, with roughly 500 believed trapped inside tunnels.
Foreign experts are assisting Nepalese teams at several projects.
On the Chinese side, rescuers searched areas affected by mudslides around the destroyed Gyirong Port border crossing while crews worked to reopen a major highway.
China is also sending additional relief supplies to Nepal, including drones, DNA testing equipment and water purification equipment.
Police in Kathmandu buried dozens of unidentified bodies in temporary graves Tuesday, preserving DNA samples, photographs and identifying details so families can later claim remains.
The flooding began after a glacial collapse in the Himalayas sent rock, ice and meltwater into valleys, producing a destructive surge through rivers in Tibet and Nepal.
The IFRC warned that continuing monsoon conditions, blocked waterways and landslides pose immediate risks.
UN Women said about 43,000 women and girls in Nepal require urgent humanitarian assistance, with food shortages, limited safe water and growing protection concerns.
Health access is also under pressure, with six health facilities damaged or destroyed and two others inaccessible.
The World Health Organization warned that flooding, displacement, overcrowding and stagnant water could increase disease risks and said surveillance was underway in affected and downstream areas.