Hyderabad: Nepal is battling a major flash flood disaster after a sudden surge hit the Bhote Koshi River near the Tibet border on Wednesday.
At least eight people have died, while 384 travellers have been reported missing. The preliminary list includes 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens.
Among the missing foreign nationals are 105 Indians. The list also includes travellers from several other countries.
The worst damage occurred in Rasuwa district in northern Nepal. The flood swept away homes, vehicles, bridges and other infrastructure.
Timure and Syafrubesi were among the badly affected areas. The disaster also damaged the Rasuwagadhi border crossing with China. Several settlements along the river have suffered extensive damage.
Rescue Operations Intensify as Indians Remain Among Missing
The Nepal Tourism Board said the list of missing travellers remains preliminary.
Officials are verifying the information with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies. Therefore, families have been urged not to draw conclusions until the verification process ends.
Many missing travellers were reportedly heading towards Tibet for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Travel agencies said they struggled to contact several groups after the flood. At least 25 people had been rescued by Wednesday afternoon, according to reports citing Nepal Army officials.
The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have launched search and rescue operations. Around 14 helicopters, along with drones and sniffer dogs, have been deployed. Rescue teams are working in difficult terrain while several roads and bridges remain damaged.
The flood also affected Nepal’s hydropower sector. Eight operational hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 354 MW were reportedly damaged. Several projects under construction also suffered damage.
Meanwhile, officials have not yet established the exact cause of the sudden river surge. Nepal’s hydrology authorities said the flooding did not appear to result from rainfall in Rasuwa. Officials are examining possible causes, including an ice or rock avalanche, landslide or another event on the Tibetan side.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and expressed condolences over the loss of lives.
Modi assured Nepal of India’s full humanitarian and relief assistance. India is also monitoring the situation involving Indian nationals.
Authorities have placed several downstream districts on high alert. They have urged residents near rivers to move to safer locations. Travellers have also been advised to follow official instructions and remain in contact with their tour operators.
The disaster has caused widespread disruption along the Nepal China border. Rescue operations will continue as authorities work to locate missing people and assess the full extent of the damage.
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