[Edaily Reporter SIN SOO-JUNG ] Nearly three weeks have passed since massive floods struck the border region between Nepal and Tibet, China, but the fate of more than 5,600 people remains unknown. The search for the missing is facing difficulties as 2.2 million metric tons of debris have piled up in the valleys swept away by the floods.

According to Reuters on the 15th (local time), at least 1,386 people have died and 5,130 are missing in Nepal due to floods caused by a Himalayan glacier collapse on the 26th of last month. In China, at least 43 people have died, and 519 people, including foreigners, remain unaccounted for. Combined, the death toll in both countries stands at least 1,429, with 5,649 people missing.

Although some survivors who were trapped in tunnels at Nepalese hydroelectric power plants and other locations immediately after the flood were rescued, official updates on the search efforts have become less frequent as time has passed. Authorities in Nepal and China have stated that they are cooperating to locate the missing and provide relevant information to their families.

The biggest obstacle to the search is the massive amount of debris left behind by the flood. According to authorities, the flood deposited 2.2 million metric tons of sediment and debris in the valleys. Infrastructure, including roads and settlements, has also been extensively destroyed.

In response to a query from Reuters, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it would promptly notify families as soon as information regarding the missing persons is obtained. It also explained that it is operating a telephone hotline available to families from around the world. Authorities in Nepal and India did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Families of the missing are personally visiting hospitals, police stations, and embassies to track down their loved ones. They are also requesting that mobile phone records be used to determine their last known locations.