5.1 An earthquake strikes China; Nepal issues a new flood warning; the Trishuli region is evacuated once more

Another flood alert was issued in Nepal after a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Sichuan, China, on Friday. According to Nepal Police, the Trishuli region of Nepal is being evacuated once more due to a strong water flow from above that could elevate the river’s water level.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake occurred in Longchang City in the Sichuan Province of southwest China. ANI reported, citing CGTN.

In the meantime, a dam on the Tibet side has ruptured once more, according to a new alert from Nepal Police. In a post on X, Nepal Police advised security personnel, rescue workers working in relief and rescue efforts, and the general public to remain on urgent alert and move to safe spots or inform others.

The dead toll due to the disastrous flash flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa district rose to 469 on Friday, while 1,545 people were injured and rescued, Nepal Police said. With 178 bodies discovered, the Chitwan district had the greatest death toll, followed by 110 in NP East, 44 in Gorkha, 37 in Nuwakot, 33 in Dhading, 28 in Tanahun, 27 in NP West, and 12 in Rasuwa, according to Nepal Police.

Following the catastrophic floods, approximately 300 Indian visitors went missing, according to Nepal’s foreign minister Shisir Khanal on Thursday. The Nepal Tourism Board‘s most recent report states that 178 Indian nationals are still unaccounted for. Authorities said that 558 persons were missing in Tibet and 826 in Nepal.

The Balen Shah-led government of Nepal reportedly rejected offers from a number of nations to send search and rescue teams, claiming that its own security services could manage the operation. India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have all asked the authorities to let their search and rescue teams help with the effort.

According to officials, Nepal has made the decision to conduct search and rescue efforts using its army, police, and other domestic authorities.

According to the US Geological Survey, a glacial collapse and debris flow resulted in seismic activity and “catastrophic” downstream effects in Tibet and Nepal. According to preliminary accounts, the floods and avalanche were caused by an earthquake. Later, the USGS claimed that the glacial collapse was the cause of the seismic activity.