At least 165 people have died after catastrophic flash floods swept through communities along the Nepal China border, while more than 1,300 people remain missing in Nepal and China’s Tibet region.
The disaster struck on Wednesday after part of a Himalayan glacier collapsed, sending a powerful surge of water, ice, rocks and mud into the Lhende Khola river system. The United States Geological Survey later determined that a seismic signal initially believed to have been an earthquake was instead generated by the glacial collapse and landslide.
Nepalese authorities say 826 people are missing in the country, while Chinese authorities have reported 558 missing in Tibet. Hundreds of those unaccounted for are foreign nationals, including tourists and pilgrims travelling through the mountainous region. At least 19 bridges and about 40 kilometres of roads were also washed away, leaving several communities difficult to reach.
Rescue operations involving thousands of personnel, helicopters, drones and other emergency equipment are continuing, but damaged infrastructure, heavy debris and difficult mountainous terrain are hampering efforts. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise as rescuers reach more affected areas and recover additional bodies.
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