KATHMANDU, NP — At least 162 people are dead and hundreds more are missing after a flash flood and mudslide hit the Nepal-Tibet border early Wednesday, ripping through villages, damaging roads and cutting off communications in parts of the region.
The disaster struck in Rasuwa, north of Kathmandu, after what officials believe may have been an earthquake-triggered avalanche sent meltwater into the Bhote Koshi river. Search operations are now active on both sides of the border, and officials say the toll is likely to climb sharply.
What Officials Say So Far
Nepali police said the death toll has reached at least 162, while China’s state broadcaster CCTV said the number of missing in Tibet’s Gyirong county rose to 558 on Thursday. CCTV said 260 of those missing are foreign nationals, and the death toll on the Tibetan side remained at three.
Nepal had earlier said 579 tourists were unaccounted for, including 466 foreigners. Officials have not said whether any of those names overlap with the figures from Tibet. Among the people reported missing are 113 Nepalis, 54 Americans, 34 Australians and 33 British nationals, according to police.
Alpine Eco Trek confirmed that 12 British nationals on one of its guided trips were missing, along with two Irish nationals and four South Africans who were also on the excursion. Travel logs shared with PA news agency showed the missing British citizens range in age from 13 to 65.
Roads, Power And Rescue Efforts
Several areas downstream of the Bhote Koshi river are on high alert, and the main road to Kathmandu is closed. Authorities say power, communications and roads have been badly disrupted, while damage has also hit the Trishuli hydropower project.
Nepal Army spokesman Rajarm Basnet said crews were working to rescue 115 people from Mailung. The home affairs ministry warned there could be major losses of life in Timure, Syabrubesi and Betrawati, and disaster officials urged people near riverbanks to stay alert and take precautions.
Prime Minister Shah said emergency work was underway with medical teams, scouts and the Red Cross. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken with Shah and offered solidarity, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres said UN teams were mobilizing supplies and personnel to support Nepal’s response.
What The Verified Video Shows
BBC Verify geolocated footage to the Trishuli Bazaar area of Nuwakot District in Bagmati Province, about 25 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu. The videos show the Trishuli river swelling quickly, sediment-filled floodwater tearing away a bridge, and several multi-storey buildings collapsing.
Another clip filmed from inside a bus shows people running for safety as the surge rushes down the valley. Passengers can be heard crying out while the road beside the river fills with water and debris.
Yee Liang, a Chinese businessman based in Kathmandu, said his logistics company lost contact with seven container trucks in the area. He said there had been no warning he knew of, and that earlier seasonal mudslides were far less severe than this flood.
When the weather turns dangerous, SVH Snow is watching.
