Kathmandu— The death toll from devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet has surpassed 1,270 as rescue efforts continue more than a week after the disaster. The floods, triggered by what scientists believe was a glacier collapse near Langtang Lirung mountain peak, swept away villages, roads, and bridges in both countries. In Nepal alone, over 4,200 people are still missing, while Chinese authorities have reported 21 deaths and 541 missing individuals.

Rescue Operations Underway

Nepalese rescue teams are working around the clock to reach trapped workers inside hydropower facilities. Sanjay Kc, an officer from the Nepalese army engineering department, expressed hope that some survivors might still be found in tunnels and power houses. 'We still hope there are some survivors inside,' he said while overseeing bulldozers trying to clear mud blocking tunnel entrances.

Families Await News

The families of the missing gather daily, hoping for news about their loved ones. Pratik Rana, whose father is among those missing, described his daily routine: 'Every day I come here hoping to find my father, but every day at sunset I feel my hope fades away.'

Challenges in Identification

In Kathmandu, forensic teams are working tirelessly to identify bodies found in a state of decomposition. Jessica Washington from Al Jazeera reported that while tattoos and jewelry can help with identification, many bodies were found in such a condition that it is very challenging to confirm identities.

Rebuilding Efforts Begin

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has announced plans for both search operations and rehabilitation efforts. Dharma Raj Upreti, chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), stated that about 20,000 houses would need to be rebuilt, with a focus on safer locations to avoid future risks.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.