Nepal-Tibet flash flood: 1,500 missing; death toll 165

Nearly 1,500 people, including almost 800 foreign nationals, remain missing across Nepal and Tibet after a massive collapse of mud and rock triggered catastrophic flash floods through Himalayan valleys.

According to the a report by Reuters, rescuers in Nepal deployed helicopters to search for survivors and drop emergency supplies to thousands cut off after Wednesday's disaster. The flood swept through a rugged mountain region popular with trekkers and pilgrims traveling between Lhasa and Kathmandu.

Nepali police expect the death toll of 165 to rise further as search operations resume. Spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said more bodies are expected to be recovered.

Police and tourism officials reported that 826 people are missing in Nepal, including almost 500 foreigners. The missing tourists include 177 from India, 63 from the United States, 34 from Australia, 33 from Britain, and 25 from Canada.

In Tibet's Gyirong county, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported 558 people missing, including 260 foreign nationals. China maintained its official death toll at three.

Verified videos showed massive torrents of water and debris sweeping away dozens of people at a border crossing in Gyirong. The flood destroyed homes, roads, and power infrastructure across Nepal as it rushed downstream.

Survivor Keshav Prasad Baral, 68, speaking from a hospital, described a massive gush of mud entering his home. He attempted to pull his wife to safety, but the mud swept her away.

A helicopter rescued him four hours later, though his wife remains missing under the debris. 

Another survivor saved himself by clinging to a mango tree while watching his workplace disappear.

Many victims were on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, a sacred site for Hindus and Buddhists in Tibet. Himalayan tourism operator chief executive Sagar Pandey confirmed that 15 Indian-Australians on a tour with his company are missing. He described the region as flattened, with all structures destroyed.

In the hardest-hit districts, helicopters dropped tents, food, and medical supplies provided by India. Nepal Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said over 5,000 military and police personnel joined the rescue operation, retrieving 125 people on Thursday, including 20 foreign nationals.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah traveled by road to Bidur in Nuwakot district to assess the situation.

Initial reports suggested an earthquake might have triggered a glacial collapse. However, the US Geological Survey clarified that the recorded 4.4 magnitude seismic signal was actually energy generated by the collapse of glacial rock and ice, followed by the debris flow.

Satellite imagery showed the initial landslide unleashed the flood in the Lhende River; roughly 20 kilometers northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border crossing.

Chinese authorities identified additional risks from a dammed lake in Gyirong, upstream from the stricken border crossing, which could complicate rescue efforts.

International leaders responded to the crisis. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that gathering information remains difficult due to limited local infrastructure. The US State Department dispatched a disaster response adviser alongside 500,000 USD in aid. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed condolences on social media, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed UN teams are delivering aid and personnel to affected communities.

Thick layers of mud swathed entire villages, vehicles, and trees in Nuwakot and Dhading districts. Relatives of the missing gathered outside a Nepali army training center operating as a helicopter base.

Health worker Tula Bahadur BK in Rasuwa reported that riverbank settlements were entirely wiped out, adding that five of his own relatives are missing.

-SA