Massive Nepal-Tibet flood kills 160, leaves hundreds missing

Nepali police said in an operational update on Wednesday they had recovered 157 bodies after a terrifying flood tore through the Tibet border region, taking the overall death toll to at least 160, with several hundred missing.

Hundreds of tourists were still out of contact hours after the disaster hit.

A torrent of mud and debris burst from the banks of a river between China and Nepal, burying buildings and triggering a frantic search for survivors.

Chinese authorities said three people died and 265 others were missing after the mudslide, state media reported, citing preliminary figures from local officials. It added that President Xi Jinping ordered an “all-out” rescue effort.

It was not immediately clear if there was any overlap between the Chinese figures and those announced by the Nepalese, with state broadcaster CCTV saying specific casualty figures were still being verified.

“I got a call from [my brother-in-law] this morning, and they were crying and said their entire house had been swept away. Three family members were rescued, but his brother is still missing,” said 56-year-old Raju Bhadel.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah urged the Himalayan nation to stand united after the devastating flood.

“The pain and loss you have suffered is not small. But I want to assure you that you are not alone in this difficult time — the state is with you with all its means and resources,” Shah said in a statement posted to social media.

“Please be patient. The government takes full responsibility for your rescue, treatment, food and shelter. In times of such a disaster, we all need to stand together.”

Some 403 tourists — 341 of them foreigners — were unaccounted for several hours after the disaster struck, according to the ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation.

Nepal’s tourism board said Americans, Indians, an Australian, Malaysians and Britons were among those unaccounted for.

Images shared by Nepali police showed floodwater surging through a river, sweeping away houses in its path, while AFP images depicted the top floor of a house sticking out from muddy soil.

A police spokesman told AFP earlier that authorities did not know the extent of the damage but said they had “alerted people who are staying near the riverside to relocate”.

The Nepal Army said it had deployed helicopters and disaster response personnel to the affected area.

The Nepal Electricity Authority said about 430 megawatts of production capacity, including from hydropower and solar facilities, has been damaged.

“The disaster has damaged the production, transmission and distribution facilities of the Authority… resulting in disruption of electricity supply,” it said.

Sarthak Shrestha, a remote sensing and geo-information analyst at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), said a preliminary assessment showed “no anomalies” from China’s side of the border.

“We believe a rock-ice avalanche occurred in Nepal, blocking the Lhende river and causing the cascading flood event,” he told AFP.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and offered his sympathies to the flood-affected people.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives and widespread devastation caused by the floods and landslides in Nepal’s Rasuwa District and other affected areas,” he said in a post on X.

“My heartfelt sympathies are with the bereaved families and all those affected by this tragedy. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Nepal during this difficult time,” he said, while praying for the safety and well-being of all those in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also extended condolences.

“Deeply distressed by the loss of precious lives and widespread damage caused by the flash floods in Nepal. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, wish the injured a speedy recovery, and pray for the safe return of those still missing,” he said in an X post.

“Pakistan stands firmly with the Government and people of Nepal in this difficult hour and remains ready to extend all possible assistance.”

Mudslide risk

Several highways were also closed, Nepali authorities said.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported on Wednesday that “a mudslide disaster on the Nepalese side resulted in major casualties and missing people at the Gyirong Port” in Tibet.

Footage shared by the broadcaster, which AFP was unable to immediately verify, showed rushing water carrying tree branches and debris, as well as a flooded road.

China’s leader said that “the most urgent task is doing everything possible to search for and rescue the missing people… quickly treat injured people and minimise casualties to the greatest extent possible”, according to CCTV.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to Shah, and gave both his condolences and an offer to aid rescue efforts.

“The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” Modi said in a statement.

“India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts.”

Traffic authorities in Tibet’s Shigatse said roads in the area were “at risk of mudslides and unsafe for passage” in a post on social media on Wednesday.

In July last year, 17 people went missing after a mudslide near the Gyirong Port, Xinhua reported at the time.

Monsoon rains from June to September regularly trigger deadly floods and landslides across South Asia.

Scientists say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region.

Qianggong Zhang, head of climate and environmental risks at ICIMOD, said a second flood may be imminent.

“With a blockage still lodged upstream on the Nepal-China border river, authorities warn a second flood may occur,” he told AFP.