At least 95 people have died and hundreds are still missing after flash floods hit the Himalayan border areas of Nepal and Tibet in China. Officials have warned that parts of India could also be at risk.
The disaster was caused by a sudden rush of mud, water, and debris that overflowed from a river running between China and Nepal. In Nepal, homes, roads, bridges, and power plants were destroyed, while officials in Tibet said they feared “major casualties.”
Authorities issued alerts telling residents in several districts to stay away from the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli, and Narayani rivers in Nepal. Officials reported that 384 tourists, including 291 from countries like India, the US, the UK, and Malaysia, were missing. Nepal also said 44 army personnel and 30 police officers had not been accounted for.
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The aftermath of the flash flood in the Nuwakot district of Nepal. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock
Officials from Nepal’s tourism board said most of the missing were likely Indian tourists and members of the Indian diaspora on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred site for Hindus.
The flash floods are believed to have been triggered by an ice-rock avalanche from a glacier, which caused a sudden surge of water downstream on the Lhende Khola river, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi. Officials warned that flooding could get worse because the river was still blocked upstream.
Flood alerts were also issued in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, which border Nepal and lie downstream of the affected rivers.
Police in Nepal said they were still unable to assess the full scale of the damage. Rescuers said helicopters could not land in the affected areas of Syapru Besi and Timure in the mountainous Rasuwa district until the river waters receded.
Footage shows scale of floods in Nepal
Images of collapsed homes in the floodwaters, floating cars, a metal bridge being washed away, and villages covered in water, mud, and debris were shown on Nepalese television.
“There could be heavy casualties or loss of property,” said district administrator Narendra Pariyar, who urged people living along the Bhote Koshi to move to higher ground.
“There is devastation everywhere we look,” Tula Bahadur BK, a health worker in Rasuwa, told Reuters. “The settlements next to the river have been completely swept away. Five of my own relatives are missing.”
China’s official Xinhua news agency said the flash flood occurred on the Nepalese side of the border and cut roads, communications, and power links in the Shigatse region.
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Rescuers use a digger to move a survivor of the flash flood to safety in the Nuwakot district of Nepal. Photograph: Prakash Mathema/AFP/Getty Images
China’s president, Xi Jinping, called for “all-out” search efforts for the missing and better monitoring and early warning systems to prevent secondary disasters.
Nepal’s energy ministry said electricity supplies had been significantly affected, mostly due to destroyed hydroelectric plants.
Police and military officers joined Nepal’s rescue effort, according to the country’s prime minister, Balendra Shah. “Instructions have been given to move people living in lower areas to safer places. People along the river are advised to exercise extra caution and remain alert.”
A Bhote Koshi flood last year killed nine people and washed away a “friendship bridge” linking Nepal and China, disrupting trade and transport for months. That flood was triggered by the draining of a supraglacial lake in Tibet, according to a regional climate monitor.
The Himalayan region, which spans Nepal, India, China, and Bhutan, is especially vulnerable to floods and landslides because it is warming faster than the rest of the world due to the climate crisis. Research shows that extreme weather events like heatwaves and heavy rains have become more frequent.
Researchers in Kathmandu also found earlier this year that glaciers across the Hindu Kush region were melting at an accelerating rate.The numbers have doubled since 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs regarding the devastating flash floods along the NepalTibet border
General Situational Questions
Q What exactly happened on the NepalTibet border
A Heavy rainfall triggered massive flash floods and glacial lake outbursts sending torrents of water mud and debris down mountain valleys This swept away homes roads and bridges causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life
Q Why is this area so prone to flash floods
A The Himalayas are young steep mountains with fragile geology Combined with intense monsoon rains and the rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change the region is highly susceptible to sudden and violent flooding
Q How many people have been affected
A The official numbers are still changing but reports indicate that dozens have been confirmed dead with hundreds more reported missing Many villages have been completely cut off so the full scale of the disaster is still being assessed
Q Is this flood related to climate change
A Scientists say that while this specific event was triggered by heavy rain climate change is a major factor Warmer temperatures are causing glaciers to retreat and forming unstable glacial lakes When these lakes burst they release catastrophic floods that are becoming more frequent and severe
Q Which areas are most affected
A The hardesthit areas are remote mountain villages and towns along the border rivers particularly in Nepals Karnali Province and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China The flooding has destroyed key highways and trekking routes isolating these communities
Causes Scientific Questions
Q What is a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
A A GLOF happens when a lake formed by melting glacier water is suddenly released This can occur when a natural dam of ice or rock holding the lake back collapses often triggered by an earthquake landslide or a sudden surge of water from heavy rain The result is a violent destructive wall of water
Q What role did cloudbursts play in this disaster
A A cloudburst is an extreme sudden downpour of rain in a short period over a small area In mountainous terrain this water funnels rapidly into narrow valleys turning small streams into raging rivers within minutes catching people off guard
