Nepal Flood Leaves 162 Dead, Hundreds Missing

News Desk

Trishuli/Beijing: Rescue operations intensified in Nepal on Thursday after a massive landslide triggered torrents of mud, rocks and water across communities near the Himalayan border with China, killing at least 162 people and leaving hundreds missing.

Helicopters were deployed to search remote valleys, evacuate survivors and deliver emergency supplies, including tents and food, to districts cut off by the disaster.

Nepal tourism officials said 579 tourists remained unaccounted for, including more than 400 foreign nationals. The missing included 47 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 Britons and 24 Canadians.

Police warned that the death toll was expected to rise as rescuers gained access to areas isolated by the landslide and debris.

China also reported hundreds of people missing in Gyirong county in Tibet, where the disaster struck the Gyirong border port. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that foreign nationals were among those missing, although it was unclear whether the Chinese and Nepali figures overlapped.

The disaster began when a massive collapse of ice, rock and earth sent a debris-laden surge into the Lhende River. Satellite imagery showed that the landslide occurred about 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border crossing.

Initial reports suggested that an earthquake may have triggered the collapse. However, the US Geological Survey later said the seismic signal initially identified as an earthquake was instead generated by the collapse of glacial rock and ice, followed by a powerful debris flow.

Witnesses described scenes of widespread devastation as the flood swept through settlements, destroying homes, roads, bridges, vehicles and power infrastructure.

Keshav Prasad Baral, a 68-year-old survivor, said he watched helplessly as the mud engulfed his home and swept away his wife.

“My wife is still somewhere beneath the mud,” he said, describing the disaster as a huge wave of mud that rose rapidly as it approached his house.

Another survivor said he escaped by clinging to a mango tree while watching the building where he worked disappear beneath the floodwaters.

The disaster severely damaged vital infrastructure, with roads leading to the Chinese border crossing reportedly destroyed and communications and electricity supplies disrupted in several areas.

Many of those affected were travelling for pilgrimage or tourism, including visitors heading towards Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, sacred sites for Hindus and Buddhists.

The Nepali army said helicopters were being used to deliver emergency assistance supplied by neighbouring India to communities that remained inaccessible by road.

Families searching for missing relatives gathered at a Nepali army facility serving as a base for helicopter operations. Police officers recorded the names of missing people using mobile phone flashlights after the destruction of power infrastructure plunged parts of the area into darkness.

Foreign governments have also begun responding to the disaster. The United States said it would deploy a disaster response adviser and provide $500,000 in assistance, while the United Nations said its teams and partners were mobilising supplies and personnel.

Australia, Canada, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan also reported nationals missing or affected by the disaster.

Nepali authorities said the full scale of the destruction was still being assessed as rescue teams searched through thick layers of mud and debris.

Officials warned that the final death toll could rise significantly as rescuers reach isolated settlements and recover more bodies.