1 week ago
Nepal Flash Flood Leaves Hundreds Missing, India Issues Emergency Helplines
A sudden flash flood hit parts of Nepal on Wednesday morning.
The flood moved through the Bhote Koshi River area near the border with Tibet and China.
Many homes, bridges and power facilities were damaged.
Nepal’s Tourism Board says 384 travellers are initially listed as missing.
This includes 105 Indians and 37 people of Indian origin living outside India.
Rescue workers have already saved at least 25 people.
Soldiers, police officers and helicopters are searching for others.
Reports do not agree on the number of deaths, which ranges from seven to 16.
India has opened emergency phone lines and offered help to Nepal.
A flash flood swept through Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River area on Wednesday, affecting Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot districts near the Tibet-China border.
Nepal’s Tourism Board preliminarily listed 384 missing travellers: 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese, including 105 Indians and 37 NRIs.
At least 25 people had been rescued, while nine Armed Police Force personnel stationed near Timure were also reported missing.
Nepali authorities deployed the army, police, Armed Police Force and 14 helicopters for search-and-rescue operations.
Reports differ on the death toll, with initial accounts citing seven deaths and later reports saying 16 people had died, including eight recovered bodies.
- Who
- Travellers, including 105 Indians and 37 NRIs, as well as Nepali residents and nine Armed Police Force personnel, were affected; Nepali security agencies are conducting rescue operations.
- What
- A sudden flash flood caused deaths, missing-person reports and extensive damage in Nepal.
- Where
- The flood affected Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot districts, especially areas along the Bhote Koshi River near the Nepal-China border.
- When
- Wednesday morning, around 8:30–9 a.m. local time.
- Why
- The exact cause remains unconfirmed; Nepali officials received informal information that a landslide may have blocked a river in Tibet before the water burst through.
Key facts
- Missing travellers
- 384 people were preliminarily listed as missing: 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalese nationals.
- Missing Indians
- The preliminary list included 105 Indian nationals and 37 NRIs.
- Rescued
- At least 25 people had been rescued by Wednesday afternoon.
- Emergency helplines for Indians
- +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500; both can also be contacted through WhatsApp.
- Nepal tourism helplines
- Tourism emergency number 1234, hotline 1144 and Tourist Police number 9851289445.
- Rescue deployment
- Nepal mobilised the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, with 14 helicopters used in search operations.
- Reported deaths
- Sources gave differing figures: one account reported seven confirmed deaths, while another reported 16 deaths and eight recovered bodies.
Quotes
Embassy of India in Kathmandu
India’s diplomatic mission in Kathmandu
“For assistance and information related to Indian nationals that have been affected by the flash floods in Nepal today, the following emergency numbers may be contacted: +977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500 (Both emergency numbers can also be contacted through WhatsApp) @MEAIndia”
thestatesman.com
“Following the sudden flash flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa… Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist Police and tourism stakeholders are working to verify the whereabouts and safety status of tourists and travellers who were in or travelling through the affected areas.”
republicworld.com
Sources
Nepal floods: Nearly 400 people, including 105 Indians, missing; Bihar and UP borders on alert; MEA issues helpline numbers
Indian Embassy Issues Emergency Helplines as 105 Indians Missing in Nepal’s Rasuwa Floods; PM Modi Speaks to Balen Shah
Nepal Flash Floods: Indian Embassy Issues Emergency Helpline For Affected Nationals
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