Kathmandu: Rescue teams in Nepal are racing against time to find survivors after a devastating flash flood swept through communities near the Nepal Tibet border, killing at least 160 people and leaving hundreds more missing.
The disaster struck on Wednesday after a massive collapse of ice and rock in the Himalayan mountains sent a powerful surge of water, mud and debris into the river system. The sudden flood tore through settlements, roads, bridges and other infrastructure, leaving widespread destruction across several districts.
Nepalese authorities said the number of missing people has risen sharply as rescue teams reach areas that were initially cut off. The latest figures indicate that more than 800 people are missing in Nepal, while hundreds more are unaccounted for on the Chinese side of the border. Taken together, authorities estimate that nearly 1,500 people may be missing across Nepal and Tibet.
The situation has become particularly difficult because many of those missing are foreign tourists and pilgrims. The affected area is an important route for people travelling towards Tibet and the sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar region.
Indian nationals make up one of the largest groups among the missing. Nepalese officials have reported more than 100 Indians unaccounted for, with many believed to be pilgrims travelling towards Tibet. Tourists from the United States, Australia, Britain, Canada and several other countries are also among those whose families are waiting for news.
For many families, the uncertainty has been especially painful because communication with the affected areas has been severely disrupted. Some roads and bridges have disappeared under the floodwaters, while several settlements remain difficult to reach.
Nepal has deployed more than 5,000 army and police personnel to assist with rescue and recovery operations. Helicopters are being used to reach isolated communities, evacuate survivors and deliver food, tents, medicine and other essential supplies.
Rescuers are working through thick layers of mud and debris as they search homes, vehicles and other areas where people may have been trapped. In some locations, the destruction is so extensive that entire settlements along the river have been swept away.
The disaster has also left many survivors searching desperately for relatives. Some people escaped by climbing onto rooftops or holding on to trees as the wall of water and mud moved through their communities.
The cause of the disaster was initially unclear. Early reports suggested that an earthquake may have triggered the event. However, further scientific analysis has indicated that the tremor detected at the time was more likely connected to the collapse of glacial ice and rock. The material then entered the river and created a powerful debris flow that moved rapidly downstream.
The sudden nature of the disaster made it particularly dangerous. In some affected areas, there was no heavy rainfall immediately before the flood, leaving residents with little warning that a huge volume of water and debris was approaching.
Authorities are also concerned about the possibility of another flood. A barrier lake has formed upstream near the border area, creating another potential danger for communities and rescue workers. Continued rain in parts of the region could make the situation more difficult and increase the risk of further landslides and flooding.
The destruction has also damaged important infrastructure. Bridges and sections of major roads have been washed away, while hydropower projects and other facilities have suffered serious damage. The loss of roads is slowing the movement of rescue teams and supplies at a time when many communities urgently need assistance.
India and other countries have offered humanitarian support to Nepal. International organisations are also preparing emergency assistance as the search for missing people continues.
The disaster has once again exposed the growing dangers faced by communities living in the Himalayas. Steep mountains, unstable slopes and changing glacial conditions can create sudden floods that leave little time for people to escape.
For now, the priority remains the search for survivors and the recovery of those who have died. Rescue workers are continuing their efforts despite difficult terrain and damaged infrastructure.
As more areas become accessible, officials expect the number of casualties and missing people to change. For families gathered in Nepal and abroad, however, the most urgent hope is that the rescue teams will find more people alive and bring them home safely.