Nepal flood death toll nears 700, with more than 3,000 missing

The death toll from flash floods in Nepal and the Tibet autonomous region of China has risen to 691, with over 3,000 people reported missing. Chinese authorities confirmed 16 deaths and 546 missing, while Nepal's disaster agency reported 675 deaths and 2,498 missing as of late Saturday. Rescue operations, now in their fourth day, are being hampered by poor weather and challenging terrain. The Nepali Army is conducting approximately 500 helicopter sorties daily to deliver aid and evacuate survivors, with over 3,700 people rescued so far. Nepal has issued warnings of rising water levels in the Bhotekoshi River, urging caution in affected districts. The U.S. State Department has pledged $3.6 million in humanitarian aid. Among the missing are approximately 90 U.S. citizens, including 22 members of a pilgrimage group organized by the Isha Foundation. Specialized tunnel-rescue teams from India and China have joined local efforts to reach over 100 workers believed to be trapped in hydropower project tunnels.