At least 160 people have been killed after powerful flash floods and landslides struck parts of Nepal and China’s Tibet region, causing widespread destruction along the border.
Hundreds of people remain missing as rescue operations continue. The disaster unfolded after water levels rose sharply in the Bhote Koshi River near the Nepal-Tibet border. Nepalese officials said the flooding occurred soon after an earthquake hit Tibet, raising the possibility that a glacial outburst or another sudden natural event may have triggered the surge.
Rasuwa and Dhading were among the areas badly affected, with flooding and landslides also reported in Nuwakot, Chitwan and Nawalparasi East. The disaster swept away bridges, damaged homes and disrupted hydropower infrastructure.
157 Bodies Recovered in Nepal
Nepal Police said 157 bodies had been recovered from flood-affected areas, while government authorities estimated that roughly 500 people were still missing.
In Tibet, state-run CGTN reported three deaths and 265 missing people after a mudslide hit a border hub.
The floods and landslides also caused extensive infrastructure damage in Nepal. Eight operational hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 354 MW were affected, along with five projects that were under construction. Authorities said 19 motorable bridges were destroyed or washed away.
133 Indians Among Missing
More than 400 tourists are reportedly still missing in Nepal, including about 341 foreign nationals. Nepal Tourism Board spokesperson Sunil Sharma told the Associated Press that 133 of the missing tourists were Indians, many of them pilgrims.
Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru said 77 members of the organisation who were at an immigration centre remained unaccounted for, while 495 others had returned safely.
Indian states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh have opened helplines to assist affected residents and their families. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has also issued emergency contact numbers and is coordinating with Nepalese authorities on rescue and relief efforts.
Modi Speaks to Nepal PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured him of India’s full support in the humanitarian response. India has also dispatched an initial tranche of relief supplies to Nepal.
Shah later thanked Modi for his “warm words of solidarity” and offer of assistance, saying Nepal “profoundly value[s]” the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
China has also launched intensified rescue operations in the affected areas. President Xi Jinping directed authorities to make every effort to locate missing people, evacuate those in danger and provide necessary relief.
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