Kathmandu | ENewsxpress Desk:
Catastrophic flash floods swept through towns and valleys along the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, killing at least 162 people, with the toll expected to rise as rescuers search for hundreds still missing across the rugged Himalayan region.
What Caused the Disaster
The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported a magnitude 4.4 earthquake early Wednesday near the Nepal-China border, but later revised its assessment: the seismic signal was actually caused by a magnitude-5.2 glacial collapse that sent debris flowing downstream with catastrophic force, not an earthquake. Experts have linked the disaster to glacial instability in a warming Himalayan region — a similar flash flood occurred in the same area last August, when a glacial lake in Tibet overflowed due to high temperatures.
Hundreds of Tourists Missing
According to Nepal’s tourism board, more than 400 foreign nationals are among 579 tourists reported missing in the affected area, which is popular with pilgrims and trekkers. Those unaccounted for include 47 people from the United States, 34 from Australia, 33 from Britain, and 24 from Canada. Among them is a tour group of 47 people — including an American girl, 14, and two Australian boys, 14 and 12 — that had reached the Rasuwagadhi border area on Tuesday, just before the floods struck, according to Sagar Pandey of Himalayan Glacier tour company. Indian pilgrims and tourists are also reported among the missing.
Damage Across the Border
The Trishuli River in Nepal’s Nuwakot district and the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district saw severe flooding, with the town of Timure, near the Rasuwa border checkpoint, among the worst-hit areas — satellite images show heavily damaged or washed-away structures along swollen riverbanks. On the Chinese side, state broadcaster CCTV reported a mudslide in Tibet’s Gyirong County killed at least three people and left 265 missing, with roads destroyed and buildings buried. Access to the Gyirong border port has been hindered by continuing mud and debris blockages.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
Nepal’s government has requested assistance from both India and China for rescue operations. The Nepali Army has mobilised helicopters and ground teams in Timure, Syabrubesi, and other riverine areas, delivering food, tents, and medicines to affected communities, while urging residents near riverbanks to remain on high alert. India has dispatched relief material via Indian Air Force aircraft, and SDRF teams in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been placed on high alert. The U.S. State Department said it was assisting American citizens in the affected areas.
Note: This is an actively developing disaster. Death toll and missing-persons figures are changing rapidly across sources and should be verified against the latest official updates from Nepal’s government before publishing.
