Nepal floods kill 16; 105 Indians among 384 US, UK tourists reported missing

A severe flash flood in Nepal's Himalayan region, bordering China, has resulted in at least 16 deaths and over 100 Indians among hundreds of tourists reported missing, according to preliminary figures from the Nepal Tourism Board. The disaster, which swept away houses, trucks, and infrastructure, has triggered a major search and rescue operation.

Among the reported missing tourists are 105 Indians, as well as travelers from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Malaysia, South Africa, and the Netherlands. The remaining nationalities of the missing tourists are yet to be confirmed. The tourists were associated with nine travel agencies. So far, 16 bodies have been found, and rescue operations are ongoing.

Floodwaters surged through mountain valleys, engulfing structures and claiming numerous lives. The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster-response personnel to establish the full extent of the destruction and locate the missing. Nepal's electricity infrastructure has been severely damaged, with about 430 megawatts of generation capacity, including hydropower and solar facilities, affected.

Several highways have also been closed. Chinese authorities are dealing with another emergency in Tibet, where a mudslide has caused major casualties and missing people in Gyirong Port. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out rescue effort, prioritizing the location of missing people and treatment of the injured. The exact cause of the disaster is still under investigation, but a preliminary assessment suggests a rock-ice avalanche in Nepal blocked the Lhende river, leading to the cascading flood event.

Chinese authorities warn that another flood could occur due to a blockage remaining upstream on the Nepal-China border river. The Nepal Tourism Board advises tourists in affected areas to remain calm, follow official safety instructions, and stay in contact with authorities as the search continues.