Nepal’s death toll from the devastating flash floods along its border with Tibet has risen to 676, while nearly 3,000 people remain unaccounted for, as rescue operations continue for a fourth day.

The disaster struck on Wednesday after a glacier collapse triggered a massive surge of water and debris into the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa district, near the Tibet border. The flood swept through settlements and damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure across the affected areas.

Rescue Operations Intensify

Nepal has intensified search and rescue efforts in the worst-hit areas, including operations to reach people trapped inside tunnels at hydropower projects.

An Indian rescue team has reached Trishuli and carried out an aerial reconnaissance of the Chilime and Langtang areas to assess the situation and plan rescue operations.

The Nepal government is also working to clear roads blocked by flood debris and landslides to restore access to affected communities.

The difficult terrain and continuing risk of flooding have complicated rescue efforts. Nepal has sought specialised international assistance for operations requiring technical expertise.

Hundreds Of Indians Unaccounted For

India has been closely coordinating efforts to trace its citizens affected by the disaster.

The Ministry of External Affairs said 320 Indian nationals remained missing, while around 400 others were stranded on the Chinese side following the floods. At least 153 Indians stranded in China had safely crossed into Nepal, while 63 Indian nationals working at the Trishuli-One hydropower project were rescued.

The MEA also said around 100 people of Indian origin holding other nationalities remained uncontactable. Many may have been travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

India has sent relief supplies, medical personnel and a specialised team to assist Nepal with rescue operations.

Reconstruction Bill Could Run Into Billions

The scale of destruction has raised concerns over the cost of rebuilding infrastructure in the affected areas.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the reconstruction and rehabilitation effort could cost “billions of dollars”.

The floods destroyed or severely damaged homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure, leaving several areas difficult to access.

As search teams continue to look for survivors and missing people, authorities are also working to provide relief to communities devastated by the floods.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected US President Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America”, saying Canadians will continue to use the lake’s historic name.

Trump signed an executive order on Thursday changing the name for US federal usage. However, the order does not determine what Canada, international organisations or other authorities call the lake.

Carney said the name Lake Ontario predates both Canada and the United States as modern nations. He stressed that Canadians would continue to recognise the lake by its existing name.

“Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario — then, now and always,” Carney said in a social media post.

Why Trump renamed Lake Ontario

Trump announced that the lake would be renamed “Lake America” during remarks at the White House. The US president said the change would take effect immediately.

The move comes amid strained relations between Washington and Ottawa, including an ongoing dispute over trade and tariffs.

Lake Ontario is one of North America’s five Great Lakes and is shared by Canada and the United States. About 52 per cent of its surface area lies in Canada, while the remainder is in New York state.

Carney highlights Lake Ontario’s history

Carney also pointed to the Indigenous origins of the name Lake Ontario. The name is derived from the Wendat language and has been used for more than 400 years, predating the establishment of both countries in their present forms.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also indicated that the state would continue referring to the body of water as Lake Ontario, highlighting that Trump’s order is limited to US federal usage.

The dispute over the name adds another symbolic point of friction to already tense US-Canada relations.

At least 46 people have died after a massive flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River swept through parts of the country’s northern districts.

The flooding affected Nuwakot and Dhading districts, with floodwaters coming from the Tibetan side of the border. Several villages were reportedly washed away, while roads and other infrastructure suffered extensive damage.

At least 105 Indians are among 384 travellers reported missing from the affected area. The missing travellers include people who were travelling towards Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet with different travel agencies.

384 travellers reported missing

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers are missing, including 291 foreigners and 93 Nepali nationals.

Of the foreign nationals reported missing, 105 are Indians. The travellers were on their way to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra when the flash flood struck.

The disaster has also affected security personnel. At least 26 Nepal Police personnel remain missing in Rasuwa district, while the Armed Police Force has reported seven missing personnel.

The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster response personnel to the affected areas. Authorities are also collecting information about the damage caused by the floods.

Six hydropower facilities damaged

The floods have also damaged major power infrastructure in Nepal.

The Nepal Electricity Authority said six of its major hydropower and transmission facilities were damaged. These include Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, Trishuli 3A, Trishuli 3B Hub 220 kV Substation, Trishuli Hydropower Station and Devighat Hydropower Station.

The authority said the damage to production, transmission and distribution facilities has disrupted electricity supplies.

Several highways in Nepal have also been closed following the flooding.

Nepal PM convenes emergency meeting

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has convened an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to review the situation.

Mr Shah said work had begun to take necessary measures in coordination with medical teams, scouts and the Red Cross.

Videos shared by Nepal Police and others showed torrents of muddy water moving through mountain valleys in areas bordering Tibet.

Authorities have warned people living close to rivers to move to safer locations as rescue and assessment operations continue.

Monsoon rains between June and September regularly cause floods and landslides across South Asia. Scientists have also linked climate change to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region.