Death toll from Nepal-Tibet flood surpasses 470 as barrier lake threatens

The death toll from the flash flood-devastated region of Nepal and Tibet has risen past 470, as rescue efforts continue on both sides of the Himalayan border.

The prime minister’s office in Nepal reported on Friday that 469 people were confirmed killed with 977 missing. At least three people were killed in Tibet and 558 remain missing, according to Chinese authorities.

Authorities in Nepal say 644 of the missing are foreigners. About 1,550 people have been rescued.

The disaster struck on Wednesday, when a glacier collapse sent a surge of ice, water, rock and mud down Himalayan river valleys, burying entire villages and destroying roads, bridges and hydropower plants.

Bishal Nath Upreti, president of the Nepal Centre for Disaster Management, told Al Jazeera that the situation was “extremely difficult” for those stranded in the disaster zone, with no roads to reach them.

“Almost 42km [26 miles} of road is completely wiped out, and, except for the helicopters, the rescuers cannot go there”, he said.

About 800 people have been rescued by helicopter and 700 by land, he said. Aid is being airlifted to survivors.

“They are very desperate now,” he said of those stranded. “It’s already over 72 hours now and people are really desperate for … shelter and food.”