4 days ago
Nepal Flood Deaths Rise as Former Minister Criticizes China
A huge rush of ice, rocks, mud and water hit Nepal near the Tibet border.
It destroyed homes and roads and killed at least 626 people.
More than 2,400 people were still missing, while nearly 2,500 had been evacuated.
Nepal sent more than 11,000 security workers to search for people and provide help.
A former Nepal minister said China did not give Nepal a warning before the flood.
He said the disaster started in Tibet, although Beijing said it began in Nepal.
Nepal and China had agreed on a warning-sharing system after a smaller glacier event in 2025.
The former minister said that system was not used and called for better information-sharing among Nepal, China and India.
Nepal’s flash-flood death toll reached 626 on Saturday, while more than 2,400 people remained missing.
Former minister Madhav Prasad Chaulagain said China provided no timely warning before the disaster.
Chaulagain said an ice, rock and mud wall crossed the Nepal-Tibet border at about 8:40 a.m. Wednesday.
He disputed Beijing’s claim that the collapse began in Nepal, saying it originated in Tibet.
Nearly 2,500 people were evacuated, and more than 11,000 security personnel joined rescue operations.
- Who
- Nepali communities, rescue teams, and more than 11,000 security personnel were affected or involved; former minister Madhav Prasad Chaulagain criticized China’s warning practices.
- What
- Flash floods and a wall of ice, rock and mud killed 626 people, left more than 2,400 missing, and triggered search and relief operations.
- Where
- The disaster struck near the Nepal-Tibet border, with damage reported in Nepal, including Nuwakot; rescue and road-repair activity was also reported in Gyirong, Tibet.
- When
- The disaster occurred at about 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday; the reported death toll rose to 626 on Saturday, the fourth day of operations.
- Why
- Chaulagain attributed the high human cost partly to a failure to share timely information and said an existing Nepal-China warning protocol was not used.
Former Minister’s Account
Beijing’s Assertion
Where the collapse began
Former Minister’s Account
Madhav Prasad Chaulagain said the event originated in Tibet and crossed into Nepal.
Beijing’s Assertion
Beijing asserted that the collapse began on Nepali territory.
Advance warning
Former Minister’s Account
Chaulagain said Nepal received no timely warning from China and that an agreed information-sharing mechanism was not used.
Beijing’s Assertion
The article reports China’s position on the event’s origin but does not provide a Chinese response to the warning allegation.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- 626 as of Saturday
- People missing
- More than 2,400
- People evacuated
- Nearly 2,500
- Security personnel deployed
- More than 11,000, including over 5,000 Nepal Army personnel
- Disaster time
- Approximately 8:40 a.m. Wednesday
- Warning protocol
- Nepal and China had agreed on a protocol after a smaller glacier incident in 2025
Quotes
Madhav Prasad Chaulagain
Former Nepal Forest and Environment Minister
“We missed that opportunity”
NDTV
“Things are not so clear”
NDTV
Sources
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