At least 22 killed, hundreds missing after avalanche triggers deadly floods in Nepal

UDIN DHUNGA, Nepal — At least 22 people lost their lives and hundreds more remain missing following a catastrophic avalanche that triggered devastating floods on Wednesday. The Bhotekoshi River burst its banks around 9 a.m., inundating numerous villages, roads, and hydropower facilities, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Initial reports indicate that 384 tourists, comprising 291 individuals from countries like India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia, have been reported missing in the aftermath of the disaster. The Nepali government has urgently sought assistance from both India and China to aid in the rescue operations.

District of Nuwakot has borne the brunt of the calamity, with numerous multistoried structures, vehicles, and trucks buried under enormous piles of mud. Authorities have issued a stern warning to residents in several districts, cautioning them to keep clear of the banks of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli, and Narayani rivers. The Nepal Tourism Board reports that the majority of the missing individuals are likely to be tourists from India and the Indian diaspora who were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in China.