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BloombergNearly 2,500 people are missing following the flash floods that devastated a mountainous region between Nepal and China, with authorities on both sides of the border stepping up rescue efforts.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorAt least 579 people have been confirmed dead while 1,924 people remain unaccounted for including hundreds of foreigners from India, Malaysia, Australia and the US, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said in a post on X. That was almost double its previous estimate of missing people. China said its death toll stood at seven, with 554 missing, according to state broadcaster CGTN.The catastrophe was triggered on Wednesday by a glacial collapse that sent ice, mud, rocks and fast-moving water surging through a valley in Nepal, destroying entire settlements in its path. Videos showed people attempting to flee as walls of water and debris swallowed buildings, tore down bridges and washed away trees, boulders and vehicles. A woman looks at photographs of the missing following flash floods in Nepal, outside a hospital in Kathmandu on Aug. 29, 2026. Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA /AFP via Getty ImagesGet a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againNepal has mobilized about 15,000 personnel for challenging rescue missions, including in settlements steeped in sludge and at hydropower projects where workers have been trapped in tunnels. The military has “intensified its operations” and “deployed special teams and is actively collecting bodies at a rapid pace,” the prime minister’s office said on social media.Rescue efforts in the remote region have been hampered by the risk of further flooding as rivers clogged with mud and debris formed new, unstable lakes upstream. Authorities were closely monitoring such lakes, some of which were quickly filling with water that could breach the banks in an uncontrolled manner. A woman carrying a baby waits for news on missing loved ones at a military camp, following flash floods on Aug. 28, 2026 in Trishuli, Nepal. Photo by Ezra Acayan /Getty ImagesSeparately, Prime Minister Balendra Shah denied reports Nepal had rejected foreign aid, saying the government was coordinating with India, China and others.The country will need at least “a few billion dollars” to recover from the devastation, prompting the US$45 billion economy to seek international funding for a massive reconstruction effort, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Friday.Hundreds of foreign nationals are also missing, among them 32 Canadians, according to a statement on X from Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Canada is providing $5 million in emergency support, she said in the statement.Additional reporting from National Post An aerial view shows debris and mud covering an area following flash floods on Aug. 28, 2026 in DevGhat village, Nepal. Photo by Ritesh Shukla /Getty ImagesOur website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. 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