359 dead as Nepal flash floods leave trail of destruction; 288 Indians missing

Flash floods triggered by a possible ice avalanche in Nepal and Tibet have killed 359 people so far and left nearly 1,500 missing, police said. India has confirmed that 288 of its nationals are missing in Nepal.

In Short

• Flash floods likely triggered by glacial avalanche hit Nepal and Tibet
• Death toll crosses 350, nearly 1,500 missing following disaster
• 21 Indians rescued from flood-hit Nepal, all from Tamil Nadu

As many as 21 Indians who went missing in flood-hit Nepal have been rescued, the government said on Thursday, while 288 Indian nationals remain out of contact a day after devastating flash floods killed 359 people in the Himalayan nation.

Addressing a press conference, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said all 21 rescued Indians are from Tamil Nadu and are being brought back to India. “Several Indians also remain stranded on the Chinese side of the border in Tibet. More than 200 Indians have sought help, with 95 of them currently in Darchen,” Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal added that the 288 Indians out of contact include 73 people working at a power project in Trishuli, one of the flood-hit areas in Nepal.

Approximately 200 Indian nationals who are safe are seeking assistance with evacuation, including around 95 in Darchen, a small village in Tibet, who are proceeding towards Hilsa to cross into Nepal; four in Jilong City; 30 in Zutulphuk en route to Saga; and another 60-70 travelling to other locations.

The flash floods struck Nepal and parts of Tibet after a possible avalanche near a Himalayan river sent catastrophic flash floods downstream. Gyirong Port, a land border crossing and trade post between Tibet and Nepal, was among the first towns to be hit before the swelling waters flowed further down to wreak havoc.

The flash floods gobbled up settlements and disrupted travel, while roads, bridges and hydropower projects across Nepal suffered extensive damage.

FOLLOW LIVE BLOG UPDATES OF NEPAL FLASH FLOODS

Nepal Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said authorities were still trying to ascertain the full extent of the disaster, with nearly 1,500 people, including at least 800 foreigners, missing across Nepal and Tibet. "Thousands of families have lost homes and are missing as of now. We are still trying to ascertain the full extent of the disaster," he said.

FLASH FLOODS IN NEPAL, TIBET

The flash floods struck three districts of Nepal – Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot – on Wednesday after an avalanche blocked the flow of the Lhende tributary of the river Bhote Koshi. The torrent first hit Timure near Rasuwagadhi, along Nepal’s border with Tibet, before wreaking havoc downstream.

Nepal Police said the death toll could increase further as rescue teams resumed searches and more bodies were recovered. “This will go up, as we have resumed the search and more bodies are expected to be recovered,” Nepal Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle told Reuters.

In Tibet’s Gyirong county, 558 people were reported missing, including 260 foreign nationals, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. At least three people were killed and 265 remained missing after a mudslide struck Gyirong Port on the Nepal border, Chinese officials told Reuters.

The disaster swept through a rugged Himalayan region popular with trekkers and pilgrims travelling between Lhasa and Kathmandu. Several videos on social media showed massive torrents of water and debris sweeping through the border area, while homes, roads and power projects were washed away or damaged downstream.

Early reports from Nepali officials suggested that an earthquake in the region may have triggered the collapse of the lower part of a glacier, causing the floods.

Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division said there was no credible information indicating another major flood was about to hit Rasuwa or Nuwakot, though river levels could rise slightly due to rainfall.

Bihar, which shares a border with Nepal, was on high alert as authorities continue to monitor water levels and the flood situation. This morning, the situation partially stabilised as Valmikinagar Barrage recorded a discharge of 88,000 cusecs, down from 1.5 lakh cusecs at midnight.

INDIA STEPS UP RELIEF EFFORT

India has stepped up humanitarian assistance to Nepal following the disaster.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that a second flight carrying 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief material, medicines and food packets had departed for Nepal.

India had sent its first military relief flight on Wednesday night, with an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft carrying 10 tonnes of emergency supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and essential medicines.

On Wednesday, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued emergency numbers for assistance and information related to Indian nationals affected by the flash floods. In a post on X, it said people can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.

"The Embassy of India has remained engaged with the relevant authorities of the Government of Nepal for early rescue and relief for Indian nationals affected by the flash floods that took place in Nepal," it said in another post on X.

The Nepal Tourism Board also issued similar numbers, including the toll-free emergency number 1234, the hotline 1144, and the Tourist Police number 9851289445 for help.

In Beijing, the Embassy of India also issued a helpline number, 0086 185 1428 4905, which can be contacted via WhatsApp.

NEPAL PM VISITS FLOOD-HIT NUWAKOT

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah travelled by road to flood-hit Nuwakot on Thursday morning for an on-site assessment of the damage.

The Nepal Prime Minister's Office said Shah would inspect affected and surrounding areas and meet local administrators, security officials and public representatives to discuss immediate relief, restoration and the reopening of blocked infrastructure.

Rescue and relief operations continued across the affected areas as authorities assessed the scale of destruction and searched for those still missing.

In the worst-hit districts, helicopters are dropping tents, food and other emergency supplies provided by India, Nepal Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said.

More than 5,000 army and police personnel have joined rescue operations, which retrieved 125 people on Thursday, including 20 foreigners, Basnet said.

- Ends
(with inputs from Reuters, PTI, ANI)