353 dead, search continues for flood survivors at Nepal-China border

At least 353 have died and 1500 are fear missing after a glacier collapse triggering a catastrophic flash flood in Nepal-China border Wednesday.

The flood sent debris crashing down towards Syabrubesi in Rasuwa District in Nepal and Gyirong County and port in Xizang, also known as Tibet. Chinese state media Xinhua agency reports at least three people are dead and 265 are missing in Gyirong.

Across the border in Nepal, tourism department officials say the missing include individuals from some 30 different countries. Rescue teams continue to race against time on Thursday in search of those still missing along the Nepal-China border a day after a catastrophic and deadly torrent of floods and mud swept through several communities following a glacier collapse.

Footage documenting the moment the mudside struck the Nepalese side of the border and neighbouring Gyirong Port in Gyirong County of Xizang shows the scale of devastation.

In Gyirong County, roads are destroyed and buildings buried by thundering water the colour of wet cement. State news agency Xinhua reports significant casualties, with authorities are still verifying the precise losses as rescue efforts continue to locate many still missing including at least 260 foreigners, as reported by CCTV.

With mud in the surrounding areas piling metres high, access to roads leading to the

border area has been destroyed, making the rescue operation very difficult. And the risk of secondary collapses or landslides are very much a reality as rain continues to pour in the area.

China's Ministry of Emergency Management immediately activated its rescue and response efforts, dispatching state responders including those from state-owned engineering and rescue enterprises.

Together with the Chinese People's Armed Police Force and People's Liberation Army troops, more than 1,000 rescuers have been dispatched.

The National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief, and Ministry of Emergency Management, are allocating 30,000 items in supplies.

The Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources activates a Level-II emergency response for geological disasters, the second-highest in China's four-tier emergency response system, while Xizang has activated its highest-level relief and emergency response for natural disasters.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management allocate 120 million yuan in disaster relief funds to support the emergency operations, while the National Development and Reform Commission earmarked 100 million yuan in central budget funding to support post-disaster efforts.

Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian says nearly 100 Chinese citizens are missing on the Nepal side, where hundreds more tourists are unaccounted for at the popular tourist destination of Langtang National Park and the Lang Tang Valley trekking region as they head towards Xizang's sacred pilgrim site of Mount Kailash.

According to Nepal's Tourism Board, among numerous missing are not only locals, but foreigners, pilgrams from India and hikers and tourists from Japan, US, Canada, Australia and some 30 other countries.

Those fortunate enough to escape the vicious floods or are rescued by Nepali responders

are brought to local hospital for treatment. International rescue teams are arriving to assist search and rescue, including those from South Korea and Australia. The region's steep valleys are economic lifelines and travel corridors but are precarious when disaster strikes.