More than 160 dead and hundreds missing after floods on Nepal-Tibet border

More than 160 people have died and hundreds are missing after torrential floods devastated towns and valleys along the Nepal-Tibet border. Over 1,000 people, including at least 600 foreigners, are listed as missing across Nepal and China's Tibet region. The catastrophic floods occurred when a wall of mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river, sending a wall of water through communities.

Nepal's foreign minister suggested an earthquake might have triggered an avalanche that led to the floods. Houses, roads, and power projects were destroyed, with many people fleeing before the destruction. Rescue helicopters were unable to land due to high river levels. China's President Xi Jinping called for "all-out" search efforts and stronger monitoring to prevent similar disasters.

The Bhote Koshi river's source in Tibet empties into Nepal's Trishuli river, which eventually flows into India. Last year, a similar flood caused nine deaths and 24 missing persons when it washed away a friendship bridge linking Nepal and China.