The Red Cross reported that at least 93,000 people were affected by flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, resulting in nearly 600 deaths and about 1,900 people reported missing. Rescue operations have been slowed by concerns that additional flooding could occur.

The floods were triggered when a large section of a Himalayan glacier broke loose in Nepal’s Langtang National Park and cascaded into the valley, releasing a surge of water, mud, rock and ice. The region’s steep terrain makes it susceptible to flooding and landslides, and extreme weather events linked to climate change have increased in frequency.

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the death toll rose to 584, with 579 deaths in Nepal and five in the Tibetan region of China. Authorities in Nepal said 1,942 individuals remained missing, including many foreign nationals who were trekking or working in the area. Rescue teams have recovered bodies in the Chitwan district and transported dozens of injured people to Kathmandu. More than 100 people were rescued by the Nepali army using helicopters.

Operations were paused on Friday after a debris dam formed and began to overflow, raising the risk of further flooding. Residents in Rasuwa district moved to higher ground, and officials in Bidur ordered evacuations after the Trishuli River rose again. Helicopters from the army camp in Bidur continued to ferry victims and supplies every few minutes.

International aid offers were made by India, China, the United States, Britain, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but Nepal’s foreign ministry said it did not currently require foreign assistance, stating that its own security agencies were managing the search and rescue effort.

Chinese state media reported only five deaths in Tibet and described rescue activities, but detailed information from the Chinese side remains limited.

The situation remains uncertain as rescue efforts continue amid ongoing risks of additional floods.