Nepal issues fresh flood warnings as rescue and recovery continue after Himalayan glacial collapse

# What happened Authorities in Nepal warned residents of possible fresh flooding after water levels rose in the Bhotekoshi River. Flood-warning notices were pushed to people's phones early Sunday as rescue crews worked to clear a major highway linking Kathmandu to severely affected areas.

# Scale of the human toll

# Why the risk increased Wednesday's flash floods began after a glacial collapse high in the Himalayas. Chinese officials told Nepalese counterparts that a new lake formed after the collapse had largely drained, but that a crater 5.6 kilometers upstream still contained an estimated 1.4 million cubic meters (about 370 million gallons) of water. That reservoir remains a potential hazard and requires monitoring for further releases downstream.

# Local conditions and damage

A key power plant that serves more than 20,000 people across four districts was severely damaged and is under inspection. Twisted power poles and tangled wires left intact buildings without electricity. Large concrete bridges and smaller suspension bridges were destroyed, isolating communities and complicating relief access.

# Ongoing alerts and community strain Residents described near-constant flood alarms that force them to move repeatedly to higher ground, sometimes at night and during rain. One local said caring for elderly relatives while responding to repeated warnings is exhausting. Rescue teams continued clearing highways and searching for missing people, while authorities urged those in flood-affected districts to stay on alert.

# What authorities are doing

# Immediate priorities

• Maintain and communicate upstream monitoring of water held in the crater and other high-altitude reservoirs.
• Keep evacuation routes and high-ground shelters accessible as alarms continue.
• Repair or bypass damaged bridges and roads to restore relief and medical access.
• Assess and stabilize damaged power infrastructure to restore electricity for affected districts.

# What residents face next Communities must cope with repeated alarms, damaged homes, and interrupted services while rescue operations continue. Recovery will involve clearing mud and debris, rebuilding infrastructure, and accounting for missing people, including large numbers of foreign visitors and pilgrims.

# Bottom line Authorities are warning of additional flood risk after increased upstream flows were reported. The immediate response centers on monitoring the remaining high-altitude water, keeping people on higher ground when needed, and restoring access and basic services to devastated communities.