Homes, roads, bridges and power plants swept away as rescuers battle heavy monsoon rains and fears grow of further flooding
At least 157 people have been killed and hundreds are missing after devastating flash floods struck the Himalayan border regions of Nepal and Tibet, causing widespread destruction and triggering flood alerts in parts of India.
According to officials, 403 people were reported missing in Nepal including 341 foreign nationals from countries such as India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea and Malaysia. More than 100 of those missing were reportedly religious tourists travelling on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet.
The disaster struck after a powerful surge of mud, water and debris swept through the region, destroying homes, roads, bridges and power infrastructure. Nepal’s Rasuwa district was among the worst affected areas.
Authorities were still investigating the exact cause of the flood. A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was reported near the Nepal Tibet border, and officials were examining whether it may have triggered a large mass of ice to break away from a glacier, causing a sudden surge of water and debris downstream.
In Tibet, at least three people were reported dead and 265 others were missing. Roads, communication networks and electricity connections were also disrupted in the affected border areas.
Nepalese authorities warned that the situation could worsen because parts of the river remained blocked by ice, rocks and debris, raising fears of further flooding if the blockage suddenly gives way.
Flood alerts were issued for communities along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers in Nepal. Authorities in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were also placed on alert because the affected river systems flow downstream towards India.
Rescue operations have been complicated by heavy monsoon rains and difficult mountain terrain. Helicopters were unable to land in some severely affected areas until floodwaters receded, while police, military personnel and emergency teams were deployed to search for survivors.
The disaster has once again highlighted the growing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to floods, landslides and glacier related hazards. Scientists have warned that rising temperatures are accelerating glacier melt across the Himalayas, increasing the risks faced by communities living downstream.