From factories to homes, Chinese companies are pushing robots into the real world. But turning increasingly capable machines into viable businesses remains a major test for the industry.

The environment ministry will examine whether they comply with relevant laws, including whether animals have enough space and how often cleaning takes place, said an official.

Videos showed crushing masses of water and debris sweeping away dozens of people at a border crossing in Gyirong, with homes, roads and power projects washed away in Nepal as the flows travelled downstream.

Families moved between hospitals and police helpdesks, desperately hoping for word on those missing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in close touch with the Nepali and Chinese authorities to offer consular assistance to affected Singaporeans, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.