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Death toll in Himalayan floods rises to nearly 1400

Eleven days since a glacial collapse triggered devastating floods, about 5000 are still ​missing. (AP PHOTO)

The confirmed death toll from the flash floods in the Himalayas has risen to nearly 1400, authorities in Nepal and China say. 

The majority - 1341 deaths - were recorded on the Nepalese side.

In Tibet, the number rose from 31 to 43 late on Sunday. 

More than 5000 people are still missing, including 36 Australians.

Recovery and search operations are continuing.

On Saturday, rescue workers in Nepal recovered two survivors. 

The chances of finding anyone alive beneath the rubble are diminishing rapidly. 

Rescue workers conduct search and rescue operations in Tibet
Chinese rescuers say the death toll from flooding in Tibet has risen to 43. (AP PHOTO)

The flash flood swept away a total of 11 hydropower plants that were either operational or under construction, as well as a solar power facility. 

Hundreds of workers are among the missing.

Many are still believed to be trapped in tunnels and shafts at the facilities. 

Specialist teams from India, China and South Korea continued to assist the Nepalese army with search-and-rescue operations, the foreign ministry in Kathmandu said. 

Eleven days since a glacial collapse triggered the devastating floods, about 5000 are still ​missing.

Hundreds ​of bodies have been swept onto the ​banks of rivers far from the ravaged Rasuwa district.

In Chitwan, ‌hundreds of kilometres away, several rounds of mass burials have taken place for unidentified and badly decomposed bodies.

Even as hope is beginning to fade, Nepal authorities continue their effort to look for people stuck in tunnels and under the thick deposits of mud that have hardened over buildings.

Since Friday, they have pulled out three people from the tunnels, including a Chinese citizen by ​the Trishuli river, where more than 900 are believed to be trapped.

Others have survived in extraordinary conditions, including ​an eight-year-old boy who was ⁠also reunited with his mother.

with Reuters

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