North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Friday, 28 August dispatched separate messages of condolence to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nepali President Ram Chandra Poudel over the catastrophic flooding and landslides that have killed more than 500 people and left over 1,500 others missing across the Himalayan region bordering China and Nepal. The messages were confirmed by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea's state media outlet.

Kim's Messages to Beijing and Kathmandu

In his message to Xi Jinping, Kim conveyed his 'deepest condolences' to the Chinese leader, the ruling party and government, the Chinese people, and the bereaved families of victims. He expressed hope that the disaster's aftermath would be resolved swiftly and that residents in affected areas would 'regain peace and stability,' according to the KCNA.

In a separate dispatch, KCNA reported that Kim extended his 'sincerest condolence and sympathy' to the Nepali government, its people, victims, and bereaved families over the casualties and the large number of persons still unaccounted for.

Scale of the Disaster

The flooding and landslides struck the Himalayan region on Wednesday, 26 August, triggering one of the deadliest natural disasters in the area in recent years. As of Friday, more than 500 people had been confirmed dead and over 1,500 remained missing across China and Nepal, according to foreign media reports. The sheer scale of missing persons suggests the final death toll could rise significantly as rescue operations continue in remote, difficult terrain.

Fresh Flood Warning Issued in Nepal

Even as search and rescue operations were under way, Nepali authorities issued a fresh alert on Friday warning of a possible second wave of flooding. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) confirmed it had received reports of a lake outburst in the Tibetan region of China that could send a new surge of water into Nepal.

'Information has been received that the flow of water mixed with debris and mud has increased again on Friday in the same area of the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, where a major flood occurred on August 26,' the NDRRMA said in an official notice.

The authority strongly urged all rescue and relief personnel along the banks of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, as well as civilians in high-risk zones, to 'exercise the highest level of caution and immediately move to a safe location if any danger is observed.'

Nepal Police Also on Alert

Nepal Police separately confirmed receipt of the lake outburst report from the Tibetan region and issued its own advisory urging both the public and those involved in active rescue operations to remain on high alert. The dual warnings from civilian disaster authorities and the police signal that authorities regard the secondary flood risk as credible and imminent.

What Comes Next

Rescue operations remain ongoing across affected districts, with the threat of further flooding complicating relief logistics. The international community has been watching the disaster closely; Kim's condolence messages — while largely diplomatic in nature — reflect the regional significance of the catastrophe. How quickly China and Nepal can clear debris, restore river flow normalcy, and account for the missing will determine the disaster's final human cost.