Flash floods and landslides on the Nepal-Tibet border have caused widespread destruction. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, at least 95 people have died, while hundreds of tourists remain missing, including more than 100 Indian nationals and 12 British nationals.
CCTV footage from Tibet shows a massive surge of water and mud crashing into buildings at a border crossing. Images from Nepal also show people fleeing to safety as the flash floods swept through affected areas. Nepal’s Foreign Minister has expressed concern that an earthquake followed by an avalanche may have triggered the devastating floods. However, investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
The seriousness of the situation in Tibet can be gauged by the fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping has personally issued instructions regarding the incident. Chinese authorities have stressed the need to accelerate relief efforts and provide all possible assistance to those affected. In Nepal, the disaster is being described as the country’s worst natural disaster since the devastating earthquake of 2015, which killed around 9,000 people.
According to authorities, the biggest challenge is reaching the affected areas because of the difficult mountainous terrain, bad weather, and flooding. Rescue teams are continuing to search for victims, including missing tourists, while concerns are growing that the death toll could rise further.
According to Tibetan authorities, several people are missing after a landslide struck a border crossing, raising fears of a large-scale loss of life. Many foreign tourists are also reported to be missing from popular tourist areas. Fifteen helicopters and hundreds of personnel are involved in rescue and relief operations. Initial reports suggest that an earthquake triggered an avalanche, which may have caused a glacial lake to burst its banks.
According to authorities, the flooding was caused by the sudden release of water from the lake. The floods have caused extensive damage in the areas of Timure Bazaar and Rasuwagadhi. In response to the situation, an emergency has been declared in five districts, while residents have been instructed to move to safer areas.