More than 350 dead and thousands missing after floods on Nepal-Tibet border
Rescuers were continuing their search for survivors in the debris-strewn valleys and hillsides of Nepal on Thursday. More than 1,000 people remain missing in the Himalayan country and neighbouring China after a wall of ice, mud and rock collapsed into a mountain river, triggering a catastrophic flash flood. Nepalese media put the death toll at 359, with dozens of bodies swept down into the plains…
A catastrophic flash flood has claimed more than 350 lives and left thousands missing on the Nepal-Tibet border. Rescue teams continue their search for survivors amidst debris-strewn valleys and hillsides in Nepal. The disaster is believed to have been triggered by an avalanche of ice, mud and rock that swept down a mountain river, causing a wall of destruction.
Nepalese authorities are utilizing helicopters to locate survivors and deliver emergency supplies to isolated communities. The Red Cross reports entire villages destroyed and impassable roads and bridges separating communities. Over 600 foreigners, mostly pilgrims from various countries, are still unaccounted for. Investigations suggest a magnitude 4.4 earthquake may have caused the collapse of glacial rock and ice, leading to the devastating floods.
China's President Xi Jinping has called for "all-out" search efforts and improved monitoring to prevent future disasters. The Bhote Koshi river, originating in Tibet, continues to pose a risk as a barrier lake forms, potentially causing further damage.
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.
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