The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Nepal and China’s Tibet region has risen to 472, while more than 1,200 people remain missing, authorities said Friday.

Nepal has reported 469 deaths, according to figures published by The Kathmandu Post, while China confirmed three fatalities in the southwestern Xizang Autonomous Region, commonly known as Tibet.

In Nepal, 667 people, including foreign nationals, were still unaccounted for late Thursday, the Nepal Tourism Board said. Chinese authorities said more than 550 people, including 260 foreign nationals, were missing in Tibet.

The floods and landslides struck northern and central Nepal early Wednesday, with surging waters from the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers sweeping away homes, bridges, roads and other infrastructure. Several communities and travelers were left stranded as key transport links were destroyed or blocked.

According to Anadolu Agency, rescue teams have been working to reach isolated communities and search for people swept downstream by the floods. The Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been deployed for search, rescue and evacuation operations.

Helicopters are being used to evacuate survivors from areas cut off by the disaster, while teams on the ground are searching riverbanks and downstream settlements for missing people.

The Nepal Tourism Board said it was also working to establish the whereabouts of tourists and travelers who were in or traveling through Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading when the floods struck.

Severe damage to roads, bridges and other transport infrastructure has hampered rescue operations and made access to some of the worst-hit areas difficult.

Authorities have warned that the scale of the disaster could change as rescue teams reach previously inaccessible locations and officials continue to reconcile casualty and missing-person figures from different affected areas.

BOB Post