Kathmandu: Nearly 300 Indian nationals are believed to be among the hundreds of people unaccounted for after powerful flash floods battered parts of Nepal and neighbouring Tibet, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said on Thursday. The death toll from the disaster has climbed to 165.
Khanal said the authorities were still working to determine the extent of the destruction. Across Nepal and Tibet, nearly 1,500 people have reportedly gone missing, including at least 800 foreign nationals.
“Thousands of families have lost homes and are missing as of now. We are still trying to ascertain the full extent of the disaster,” Khanal said.
Floods Follow Avalanche
The floods swept through three districts of Nepal on Wednesday after an avalanche blocked the Lhende tributary of the Bhote Koshi river. Water released by the obstruction first surged into Timure, near the Rasuwagadhi crossing on Nepal’s border with Tibet, before tearing through areas further downstream, as reported by India Today.
Nepal Police said the number of confirmed deaths had reached 165, while cautioning that the figure could rise as search operations continued.
“This will go up, as we have resumed the search and more bodies are expected to be recovered,” Nepal Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that 558 people, including 260 foreign nationals, were missing in Tibet’s Gyirong county.
Rescue agencies in Nepal have sent helicopters to look for survivors and airlift essential supplies to thousands of people stranded by the floods. The affected area is a difficult Himalayan region located along a route frequently used by trekkers and pilgrims travelling between Lhasa and Kathmandu.
Homes, Roads Swept Away
Videos shared on social media showed huge waves of muddy water and debris rushing through the border region. Several homes, roads and power-related infrastructure projects in Nepal were either destroyed or badly damaged by the floodwaters.
The disaster has prompted concern in India, particularly because officials in Nepal said on Wednesday that 133 Indian citizens and 37 non-resident Indians travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet were missing. The site is considered one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus.
Embassies Issue Helplines
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued emergency contact numbers on Wednesday for information and assistance concerning Indian nationals affected by the floods. People seeking help can call +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.
In a separate post on X, the embassy said it was coordinating with the Nepalese authorities to secure the early rescue and relief of affected Indians. It added that relief and rescue operations were being expanded in cooperation with the Nepal government.
The Nepal Tourism Board also released emergency contacts, including the toll-free number 1234, hotline 1144 and Tourist Police number 9851289445.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing has meanwhile provided a WhatsApp helpline at 0086 185 1428 4905 for assistance related to the disaster.
