By The South Asia Times

KATHMANDU - The death toll from catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border has risen to 919, with nearly 4,800 people still unaccounted for, as search and rescue operations entered their sixth day, according to figures from authorities in both countries.

Nepal has reported 903 deaths and 4,247 missing people, while authorities in China's Tibet Autonomous Region have confirmed 16 deaths and 546 people unaccounted for, bringing the combined toll to 919 dead and 4,793 missing.

The disaster struck on Wednesday after a massive landslide and glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent huge volumes of water, mud and debris into river valleys, devastating communities, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.

Nepal's worst-affected areas include Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan, with floodwaters carrying debris and victims far downstream. Search teams have been working across the affected districts despite damaged roads, unstable terrain and difficult weather conditions.

A large number of people remain missing from hydropower facilities. Hundreds of workers are believed to have been trapped in tunnels and other infrastructure after floodwaters and debris swept through several project sites. Reuters reported that rescue teams were continuing efforts to reach people believed to be trapped at hydropower projects.

The disaster has also taken a heavy toll on foreign nationals. Nepal's missing list includes hundreds of foreigners, while people unaccounted for on the Tibetan side include foreign nationals as well. The latest AP reporting puts the number of foreign nationals missing in Nepal at 592, rather than 853, so the higher figure should be treated cautiously unless confirmed by Nepalese authorities.

The flooding has triggered a massive rescue operation involving Nepal's army, police and other emergency agencies. Helicopters have been deployed to reach isolated communities and evacuate people from areas cut off by destroyed roads and bridges.

China has also mobilised more than 2,100 rescue personnel in Tibet and provided emergency assistance, according to Reuters.

The disaster has raised concerns over the vulnerability of Himalayan communities to sudden glacial and landslide-related disasters. Scientists have linked the event to instability in the high-altitude environment, while Reuters reported that authorities and experts are also examining the role of glacial instability and climate change.

The flood has caused extensive damage to infrastructure on both sides of the border, including the Rasuwagadhi border area, roads, bridges and power projects. The destruction has also disrupted movement and trade across an important Nepal-China crossing.

Rescuers remain focused on locating survivors and recovering bodies, but authorities face major challenges because some affected areas remain inaccessible and communications have been disrupted.

With 4,793 people still unaccounted for across Nepal and Tibet, authorities warn that the death toll could rise further as search teams reach previously inaccessible areas and identify recovered victims.