Hundreds missing, including foreign tourists, after flash floods on Nepal-Tibet border
Hundreds were missing after torrential floods in the Himalayan border areas of Nepal and Tibet destroyed roads, bridges and power projects on Wednesday. At least nine people were killed in the flooding, Reuters reported, as authorities braced for more casualties and worse damage. The Nepal Tourism Board said 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals, were missing. Houses and roads were…
Flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border have left hundreds missing, including foreign tourists, and caused significant destruction, including the loss of nine lives. The Nepal Tourism Board reported that 384 travelers – 291 of whom were foreigners – are still missing. Homes and roads were swept away in Nepal, while Chinese officials in Tibet warned of "major casualties" after a mudslide hit a land crossing between the two countries.
Rescue helicopters were unable to land due to high river levels in Nepal’s affected areas, adding to the rescue efforts' challenges. District administrator Narendra Pariyar urged residents along the Bhote Koshi river to move to higher ground, noting the "devastation everywhere we look." The cause of the flooding remains unclear, but previous floods along the river were linked to the draining of a glacier lake in Tibet.
China’s President Xi Jinping called for urgent search efforts and better monitoring systems to prevent further disasters. Over 430 megawatts of electricity, roughly 12% of Nepal's total hydropower capacity, was affected by the flooding. Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah ordered residents in lower-lying areas to relocate to safer locations.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
