1 week ago
Nepal Flash Floods Kill At Least 19, Leave Hundreds Missing
A very large flood rushed from the Tibet side into Nepal on Wednesday morning.
It carried muddy water, rocks and other debris through villages near the Bhote Koshi River.
Many homes, roads, bridges and vehicles were swept away.
Reports say at least 19 or 22 people died, while nearly 400 are missing.
The missing people include many Indian citizens and other travelers.
Rescue teams from Nepal are searching the affected areas.
Helicopters could not land in some places because the water was too high.
India is watching rivers in Bihar because more water could flow downstream.
Officials are also worried that another flood could happen if an upstream blockage breaks.
Flash floods swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border, killing at least 19 people according to one report and 22 according to another.
Nearly 400 people remain missing, including between 105 and 133 Indian nationals and 37 non-resident Indians, according to differing reports.
Mud, rocks and debris destroyed homes, vehicles, bridges, roads, hydropower infrastructure and facilities around Timure and Syapru Besi.
Nepal has deployed army, police, helicopters and disaster-response teams, while high water has hampered rescue operations.
India placed six Bihar districts on heightened surveillance, deployed the National Disaster Response Force and prepared relief flights for Nepal.
- Who
- Residents, travelers, Indian nationals and rescue personnel were affected; Nepalese authorities and Indian authorities are responding.
- What
- A flash flood carrying mud, rocks and debris killed people, left nearly 400 missing and damaged settlements and infrastructure.
- Where
- Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border, especially Timure and Syapru Besi, with downstream risks in Bihar, India.
- When
- The flood struck at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday; the articles do not specify the calendar date.
- Why
- The cause remains unknown; heavy rainfall on the Tibetan side and a possible ice-rock or other upstream blockage have been suggested.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- At least 19 in one report and 22 in another.
- Missing people
- Nearly 400; Nepal Tourism Board separately cited 384 travelers.
- Missing Indians
- Reports cited 105 Indian tourists or 133 Indian nationals; 37 non-resident Indians were also reported missing.
- Affected river
- The Bhote Koshi River, with floodwaters moving toward the Trishuli basin.
- Damage
- Homes, vehicles, bridges, roads, customs facilities, police facilities and hydropower infrastructure were damaged or swept away.
- Power impact
- Approximately 430 megawatts of Nepal’s electricity supply was affected.
- Indian response
- Six Bihar districts were placed under extra surveillance, the National Disaster Response Force was deployed and two aid flights were planned.
Quotes
Abi Narayan Kafle
Nepal Police spokesman
“We do not exactly know the extent of damage, but the flood is big, and it could have damaged many settlements.”
NDTV
“We have alerted people who are staying near the riverside to relocate... and deployed all our resources”
NDTV
Sources
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