1 week ago
Nepal Flash Floods Leave Hundreds Missing as India Sends Aid
A powerful flash flood hit parts of Nepal near the Tibet border.
The water rushed through the Bhote Koshi River area and damaged villages, roads, bridges and power facilities.
Many travellers and other people could not be found afterward.
Nepal’s Tourism Board reported 384 missing travellers, but said the list was still being checked.
At least 105 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians were among those reported missing.
News reports gave different numbers for the people who died, ranging from four to at least 19.
Nepalese rescue teams used helicopters and other emergency workers to search the affected areas.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah and offered help.
India then sent an aircraft carrying relief supplies, including medicines, shelters and blankets.
Flash floods surged through Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River region on Wednesday, affecting Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot.
Reports differed on fatalities, citing four or seven confirmed deaths and separate estimates of at least 16 or 19.
The Nepal Tourism Board listed 384 missing travellers, including 291 foreigners and 93 Nepali nationals.
At least 105 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians were reported missing, including pilgrims, tourists and some hydropower workers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered Nepal humanitarian assistance, while India sent about 10 tonnes of relief supplies and medicines.
- Who
- People in Nepal, missing travellers and Indian nationals; Nepalese authorities; Prime Minister Balendra Shah; and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Flash floods caused deaths, missing-person reports and extensive damage to settlements and infrastructure in Nepal.
- Where
- Rasuwa and Dhading districts near Tibet, and Nuwakot southwest of Kathmandu; flooding also affected areas on the Tibet side of the border.
- When
- Wednesday, with the Bhote Koshi River reportedly surging at about 9 a.m. local time.
- Why
- The articles say floodwater came from the Tibet side and surged through the Bhote Koshi River; one report attributed the flooding to an avalanche of ice and rock.
Lower Reported Toll
Higher Reported Toll
Fatality count
Lower Reported Toll
Some reports cited four deaths, while another said seven people had been confirmed dead.
Higher Reported Toll
Other reports said at least 16 or 19 people had died; the figures were presented as developing and may change.
Cause of flooding
Lower Reported Toll
Officials described the flood as water surging through the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibet side.
Higher Reported Toll
One report said an avalanche of ice and rock triggered the massive flash floods; the articles do not establish a single confirmed cause.
Key facts
- Missing travellers
- The Nepal Tourism Board reported 384 missing travellers: 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals. The figures were preliminary and subject to verification.
- Missing Indians
- At least 105 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians were reported missing.
- Reported deaths
- Reports differed, citing four or seven confirmed deaths and separate estimates of at least 16 or 19 fatalities.
- Affected districts
- Rasuwa, Dhading and Nuwakot were reported as affected.
- Infrastructure damage
- At least 12 hydropower projects were damaged; one report said about 430 megawatts of production capacity was affected.
- Indian relief shipment
- India sent about 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and essential medicines by Indian Air Force aircraft, including temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits and solar lamps.
- Emergency response
- The Nepal Army deployed helicopters and disaster-response personnel, while Indian and Nepalese teams coordinated rescue and relief operations.
Quotes
Nepal Electricity Authority
Nepal's national electricity authority
“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts.”
thehansindia.com
indianexpress.com
NDTV
m.rediff.com
“Thank you very much… for your kind call and deep condolences. We deeply appreciate your warm words of solidarity and your generous offer of assistance to Nepal during this difficult time. This gesture of solidarity is a reflection of the enduring bonds of friendship between our two countries, which we profoundly value.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Nepal Floods: PM Modi Speaks to Balen Shah, Assures All Possible Humanitarian Aid
Nepal Flash Floods Live Updates: Indian Embassy issues helpline numbers as 19 dead, 400 missing; NDRF being mobilised
Nepal flash floods: PM Modi dials Nepali counterpart, assures all possible humanitarian assistance from India
Modi speaks to Balen, offers all assistance, India airlifts relief material
"Ready To Provide All Possible Assistance": PM Speaks With Nepal's Balen Shah
Modi speaks to Nepal PM: 'Rescue, relief efforts on'
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