Death toll mounts, more than 1,000 missing in Nepal and China after Himalayan flood

A catastrophic flood swept through Nepal and China, claiming over 1,000 lives and leaving more than 1,000 others missing. The disaster struck Wednesday, when a massive wall of ice, mud, and rock crashed into a mountain river, triggering a flash flood. Rescue teams in Nepal utilized helicopters to scour debris-strewn valleys and hillsides, searching for survivors and delivering emergency supplies to isolated towns and valleys.

Authorities in Nepal anticipated the death toll to surpass 270, with dozens of bodies swept away and recovered from the plains. Over 100 missing Indian visitors, mostly pilgrims, and 25 Chinese workers were located in the worst-hit region around Trishuli. More than 650 foreigners remained unaccounted for, while Nepali authorities had yet to determine the number of locals missing.

Keshav Prasad Baral, a survivor, recounted the terrifying moment the flood swallowed his home, stating that his wife was swept away by the mud. In Tibet's Gyirong county, 558 individuals were missing, including 260 foreign nationals. China reported three fatalities. The death toll in Nepal was estimated at 270, with dozens of bodies recovered.

China and Nepal are collaborating on search and rescue efforts, with nearly 100 Chinese nationals in the affected area in Nepal. China's Premier Li Qiang arrived at the disaster-stricken site on Thursday, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Early reports suggested an earthquake may have caused the lower part of a glacier to collapse, triggering the floods.

Chinese authorities warned of a high-risk dammed lake upstream, which could complicate rescue efforts if it breaches, especially with forecasted rain. The flood primarily affected pilgrims on their way to Kailash Mansarovar, a sacred Hindu and Buddhist site in Tibet.