Death toll from Nepal's flood rises to 734, with 2,498 missing: disaster authority

The death toll from devastating flash floods in Nepal has risen to 734, with 2,498 people still missing, authorities said on Sunday.

According to Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the toll was recorded as of 9:00 local time on Sunday.

Separately, the Nepal Tourism Board said 261 foreign tourists had been rescued as of 18:00 on Saturday, with 320 remain missing.

In Nuwakot, one of the most severely affected areas, rescue teams managed to clear just 50 meters of blocked road between Wednesday and Saturday as they worked toward heavily damaged zones.

With rainfall persisting in recent days, crews have had to stay alert for further secondary disasters and repeatedly move affected residents to safer ground, local rescuers introduced. Large volumes of mud and sediment continue to block access, making the rescue effort extremely difficult.

The catastrophic flash flood, triggered by the collapse of a glacier at a higher elevation, swept through Nepal's Bhote Koshi River on Wednesday morning. The disaster swept through three districts, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading, leaving widespread destruction.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Saturday that Tehran had reached an understanding with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran is in no rush to open the strait.

According to Gharibabadi, the understanding will not enter the execution phase unless the United States fulfills its obligations.

The deputy foreign minister emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is currently completely closed. He asserted that no vessel can pass through the strait without coordination and permission from Iran.

He said that Iran has full control over all movements in the Strait of Hormuz, and that the U.S. claims regarding the passage of ships through the strait are completely untrue.