China restores road access to Nepal border following deadly floods

China has restored access to the Gyirong Pass on the Nepal border by repairing the G216 national highway, which was previously destroyed by devastating floods. The reopening allows heavy machinery and rescue equipment to reach the primary disaster zone, including a Chinese border control complex.

Rescue teams, equipped with life-detection devices and trained dogs, are operating in difficult terrain characterized by steep mountains, unstable cliffs, and rushing rivers. While authorities state the risk of new floods from rising lake levels has decreased, landslides remain a significant concern.

The human toll of the disaster is severe. In Nepal, at least 1,114 people are dead and nearly 4,000 remain missing. In the Tibet region of China, the official death toll stands at 16 with 546 people missing. The casualties in China include 104 Indian nationals, 49 Nepalese, and 33 Latvian citizens, believed to be members of two tourist groups.