The death toll from devastating flash floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa district has risen to 165, while hundreds of people remain missing as rescue and search operations continue in the disaster-hit region. The floods struck areas along the Nepal-China border, causing widespread destruction to homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
The disaster was triggered after a glacier collapsed in the Himalayas, sending a massive surge of water, mud and debris through valleys and settlements. Rasuwa and several downstream districts have suffered extensive damage, while the flood also affected areas along the route connecting Nepal with Tibet.
Rescue teams involving the Nepalese Army, police and other agencies have been deployed to search for missing people and evacuate those stranded in inaccessible areas. Helicopters are being used to reach communities cut off by damaged roads and bridges, although difficult terrain and heavy debris are hampering operations.
Officials have reported hundreds of people missing in Nepal, including foreign tourists and pilgrims travelling towards the Kailash Mansarovar region. Indian nationals are among those reported unaccounted for, prompting Indian authorities to coordinate with Nepalese agencies and assist affected citizens.
The scale of the disaster remains unclear as rescue teams continue to access severely affected areas. Authorities have warned that the number of casualties and missing persons could change as search operations progress and information from remote locations becomes available.
India and other countries have offered assistance to Nepal as the country faces one of its most serious recent flood disasters. Emergency supplies and humanitarian support are being mobilised while rescue teams continue efforts to locate survivors and recover those missing.
