Updates: Nepal-China flash flood toll rises to 552, MEA says 320 Indians missing

The toll in the flash flood and mudslide in Nepal increased to 547 on Friday, the police said. At least five have died on the Chinese side of the border, state media reported.

More than 1,400 persons are missing, AFP reported.

Rescue operations were halted citing risks of renewed flooding caused by the bursting of a debris dam, the news agency reported.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that 320 Indians in Nepal were not contactable. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the numbers are based on preliminary information and are expected to change.

The floods occurred in the Rasuwa district along Nepal’s northern border with China on Wednesday. The mountainous district is located about 120 km north of Kathmandu. As there was no rainfall in the area, residents did not have a warning about the deluge.

Here’s more on this and other top updates:

Search and rescue update

• New Delhi said on Friday that about 100 persons of Indian origin, who are foreign citizens, were also not contactable.
• Ninety-six Indian citizens stranded on the Chinese side had crossed into Nepal and efforts are underway to evacuate them, Jaiswal said.
• There were additionally 400 Indians on the Chinese side who were safe and in contact with the ministry.
• More than 120 foreign travellers, including 85 Indians, had been rescued as of Friday afternoon, the Nepal Tourism Board said.
• The Nepali...

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