1 week ago
Nepal Flash Floods Leave Dead and Missing as Salvage Video Spreads
A powerful flood hit parts of northern Nepal and carried mud, rubbish, wood and other debris through villages and roads.
Many people died, and hundreds are still missing.
Different reports give different numbers for the deaths, from 22 to 95.
A video shows people entering dangerous water to recover red cooking-gas cylinders.
Some people online said this was too dangerous, while others said survivors may need the cylinders after losing their homes and belongings.
The flood started when the Bhotekoshi River suddenly became much larger near the Tibet border.
Nepal’s army, police and Armed Police Force are searching for survivors.
Rescue work is difficult because of bad weather, damaged communications and rough land, and officials warn that another flood could happen if rivers remain blocked.
A viral video shows people wading through muddy, debris-filled floodwater to retrieve LPG cylinders and other belongings.
Reports give differing death tolls, ranging from at least 22 to 95 people.
Hundreds remain missing, including travellers, security personnel, customs officials and hydropower workers.
The flooding began after the Bhotekoshi River surged near the Tibet border and affected Nuwakot and Dhading.
The official cause remains unclear; an earthquake-triggered avalanche and river blockage have been suggested as a possible explanation.
- Who
- People affected by the floods, including travellers, civilians, security personnel, customs officials and hydropower workers; Nepal’s army, police and Armed Police Force are conducting rescue operations.
- What
- A devastating flash flood caused deaths, destruction and widespread disappearances, while a viral video showed people salvaging LPG cylinders from debris-filled water.
- Where
- The flooding began in Rasuwa district near the Tibet border and affected downstream areas including Nuwakot and Dhading.
- When
- The river surge occurred on Wednesday morning; rescue and recovery operations are ongoing.
- Why
- The official cause remains unclear. Nepal’s foreign minister said an earthquake may have triggered an avalanche that blocked a river, while reports also describe a sudden surge of the Bhotekoshi River.
Critics of Salvaging
Survival and Recovery Needs
Whether retrieving LPG cylinders was justified
Critics of Salvaging
Many commenters called the effort reckless and said no material possession is worth risking a life in unstable, debris-filled floodwater.
Survival and Recovery Needs
Other commenters argued that people may have lost their homes and resources, and that recovering usable cylinders could help survivors rather than allowing them to be swept away.
How to interpret the video
Critics of Salvaging
Some users described the activity as looting, greed or taking advantage of a disaster.
Survival and Recovery Needs
The footage may also reflect survivors trying to recover basic necessities amid widespread destruction; the people shown did not provide a public explanation of their motives.
Cause of the flooding
Critics of Salvaging
The official cause remains unresolved, so the earthquake-and-avalanche explanation is not confirmed.
Survival and Recovery Needs
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said an earthquake likely triggered an avalanche that blocked a river and sent water downstream, while experts warned that lingering blockages could cause another flood.
Key facts
- Reported death tolls
- Reports cited at least 22 deaths in one update and at least 95 deaths according to police in another.
- Travellers reported missing
- One report cited 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis; another cited at least 348 travellers.
- Indians reported missing
- At least 105 Indians were reported missing.
- People rescued
- At least 88 people were reported rescued in one update.
- Missing personnel
- Reports cited 32 security personnel, 15 customs officials and around 60 Langtang Khola Hydropower Project workers out of contact.
- Affected areas
- Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, including areas near the Bhotekoshi River.
- Rescue obstacles
- Bad weather, damaged communications, difficult terrain and debris have hindered rescue access and flights.
Quotes
An anonymous social media user
A commenter on an X post about the viral flood video
“What a tragedy. However, this clearly proves that a massive portion of ocean debris isn't simply littered by everyday people—it is violently washed into the sea by extreme floods, tsunamis, and natural disasters.”
livemint.com
“These people have lost everything. These tanks are better used than to end up in the ocean.”
livemint.com
Balendra Shah
Nepal’s prime minister
“The pain and loss you have suffered is not small. But I want to assure you that you are not alone in this difficult time -- the state is with you with all its means and resources.”
livemint.com
Sources
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