Nepal flood death toll crosses 1,000, 80 Americans remain missing

The death toll from catastrophic flash flooding along the Nepal-China border has surpassed 1,000 as rescue teams search through mud, rocks and debris for thousands of people still missing. About 80 Americans remained unaccounted for on Monday, according to the latest public State Department update per Fox News, while 13 U.S. citizens had made their way to safety. Nepal’s disaster agency said 1,003 people had been confirmed dead and 3,916 remained missing, including 583 foreign nationals. China, in its latest update, reported 16 deaths and 546 people missing, including 261 foreigners. Nepalese authorities have begun burying unidentified bodies in temporary graves as they preserve DNA samples, photograph distinguishing features and record other details to help families identify and claim the remains later. Rescuers are also racing to reach workers believed trapped in damaged hydropower tunnels. About 900 workers are missing from 12 projects, and local authorities believe roughly 500 may be trapped underground. Nepalese authorities said at least 11,814 people have been rescued so far. Helicopters and other aircraft have been used to reach stranded communities after flooding and landslides destroyed roads and bridges. China is sending a second batch of relief supplies to Nepal, including drones, DNA-testing equipment and water-purification supplies, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said. Chinese DNA experts will also help identify bodies. The disaster began when a glacial collapse in the Himalayas sent rock, ice and meltwater into valleys below, unleashing powerful flooding downstream. Scientists analyzing satellite imagery said the collapse appears to have involved bedrock failing beneath a glacier and was powerful enough to register as a magnitude 5.2 seismic event. The surge swept through river valleys in Tibet and Nepal, destroying homes, roads and bridges and carrying mud and debris downstream. Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah said the disaster underscored the growing climate risks facing the Himalayan region. “This incident has indicated that the risks we face in the Himalayan region are increasing with climate change,” Shah wrote Monday night. “Therefore, this region must be alert, and at the same time, it is time for us to strongly raise the issue of disasters caused by climate change before the international community.” _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WOAI on Instagram:   / news4sa   WOAI on Facebook:   / news4sa   WOAI on Twitter:   / news4sa   Subscribe to WOAI on YouTube:    / @woaivideo   Daily News Playlist:    • Playlist   For more information, visit https://news4sanantonio.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: NewsDesk@news4sanantonio.com Call the Newsroom: 210.442-6397 WOAI is a TX based station and an NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #WOAI #NEWS4SA #NEWS4SanAntonio #WOAI4 #SanAntonio