Flash flood in Nepal and Tibet leaves hundreds of tourists missing

A massive flow of water and mud has swept through villages and infrastructure in the Himalayan region on the border between Nepal and Tibet. The provisional toll stands at least 160 dead in Nepal and 3 in China, while hundreds of people remain missing. No Swiss victims have been reported so far.

The affected area is home to tens of thousands of people and is popular with tourists. Nepalese authorities reported 341 missing tourists from 26 different countries. According to the tourism board, 133 of them are Indian, likely on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a site sacred to Hindus. Almost 50 of the missing are from the United States and more than 30 from the United Kingdom.

In China too, across the northern border, the government has launched search and rescue operations. In the border area of Gyirong, at least 3 people have died and 265 are missing, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Causes of the flood

According to an initial assessment by Nepalese and Chinese scientists, an ice avalanche may have blocked the course of the Lhende river, causing a sudden buildup of water. The resulting flood wave hit the Bhotekoshi river, striking northern Nepal at around 9 a.m. The waters swept away homes, roads and hydroelectric plants in the mountain districts along the border with China.

The Nepalese army, police and the Armed Police Force are taking part in rescue operations, along with specialized personnel, medical teams and emergency equipment. Nepal has also asked India and China for support. Emergency supplies are being sent to the affected areas, while drones are being used to map the damage and locate isolated people.

Search efforts are also focused on the customs post and border crossing at Rasuwagadhi, where some people may have been buried. Authorities have urged residents living along the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers to move away from the banks and reach safe ground, due to the threat posed by water still held back along the waterways.