More than 550 missing in Tibet after floods that left hundreds also missing in Nepal

Rescue teams and military helicopters were searching for hundreds of missing people along the Nepal-China border after a deadly torrent of water and mud swept through communities. The disaster was triggered by the collapse of a glacier. Videos showed people running as floodwaters engulfed them and destroyed buildings and bridges.

Over 390 people were killed, with more than 1,400 missing, including numerous foreigners and pilgrims. Hundreds were displaced in the Himalayan region. The lush valleys, which are home to many of the world’s highest peaks and remaining glaciers, are particularly vulnerable to flooding and landslides due to climate change. In Tibet’s Shigatse prefecture, a two-lane road was buried under mud, while a lake formed on the China-Nepal border, raising concerns of a potential dam break.

Rajan Tamang, a New York-based restaurant owner, lost his mother and sister, with many others still missing. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dismay at the destruction, describing how "strong, well-built buildings were wiped out like they were toothpicks." The U.S. offered assistance to Nepal, and helicopters were deployed for rescue efforts due to damaged roads.

Over 30,000 security personnel have been mobilized for search and rescue in Nepal. The U.N. has received pledges of $229 million to support relief efforts.