1 week ago
Nepal-Tibet Border Flash Floods Kill At Least 18
A huge amount of mud, rock and water rushed through areas near Nepal’s border with Tibet.
The flood destroyed homes, roads, bridges and some electricity projects.
News reports gave different early death tolls, ranging from nine to at least 18 people.
Nepal officials said 384 travellers were reported missing, but they were still checking who was actually unaccounted for.
Videos showed people running away as water and debris swept through villages and border facilities.
Rescue teams had trouble reaching some places because roads were blocked and helicopters could not land.
Officials warned people living near rivers to move to safer ground.
They also feared another flood because debris was still blocking part of the river upstream.
Flash floods and mudslides swept away homes, bridges, roads and power projects along Nepal’s border with Tibet.
Reports put Nepal’s death toll at nine initially and at least 18 in a later account.
Nepal’s Tourism Board listed 384 travellers as missing, including 291 foreigners and 93 Nepalis, pending verification.
Videos showed people fleeing and floodwaters destroying buildings, vehicles and bridges, including one in Malekhu.
Rescuers faced blocked roads and dangerous conditions, while authorities warned that a second flood could occur.
- Who
- Residents, travellers, rescuers and authorities in Nepal and Tibet-linked border areas were affected; 384 travellers were reported missing.
- What
- A flash flood and mudslide destroyed settlements, infrastructure and power projects, causing deaths and widespread disruption.
- Where
- Along the Nepal-Tibet border, including Rasuwa, Dhading, Malekhu, Syapru Besi, Timure and China’s Gyirong border crossing.
- When
- Wednesday, August 26, according to the Reuters report.
- Why
- The immediate cause was not confirmed; officials and experts considered an ice-rock avalanche, mudslide and a preceding 4.4-magnitude earthquake as possible triggers.
Higher Later Toll
Initial Report
Deaths
Higher Later Toll
A later account reported that at least 18 people had been killed in the flooding.
Initial Report
The initial Reuters report said at least nine people had died, while authorities feared the toll could rise.
Cause of the disaster
Higher Later Toll
Some reports linked the flooding to a wall of mud and rock or an ice-rock avalanche entering the river.
Initial Report
Officials said the exact cause remained unconfirmed; a 4.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded about seven minutes before footage of the event.
Missing travellers
Higher Later Toll
The Tourism Board described 384 travellers as missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis, but said the list was preliminary.
Initial Report
Reuters identified portions of the list as including 105 Indians, three U.S. citizens and 12 British nationals, while Yonhap separately reported about eight South Koreans unaccounted for.
Key facts
- Reported death toll
- One account reported at least 18 deaths; an initial Reuters report cited at least nine.
- Travellers reported missing
- 384 people: 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, according to Nepal’s Tourism Board.
- Indian nationals listed
- The Tourism Board list included 105 Indian nationals and 37 non-resident Indians; their whereabouts were being verified.
- Affected electricity capacity
- Nepal’s energy ministry said 430 megawatts of electricity supplies were affected, mostly from hydropower projects.
- Chinese rescue deployment
- China’s state broadcaster said at least 574 rescuers were sent to the Gyirong crossing.
- Potential further danger
- Authorities warned that a second flood could occur because a blockage remained upstream.
- River system
- The Bhote Koshi flows from Tibet through Nepal into the Trishuli and eventually India’s Gandak River.
Quotes
Tula Bahadur BK
Health worker in Nepal’s Rasuwa district
“Instructions have been given … to move the people living in the lower areas to safer places. People along the river are advised to exercise extra caution and remain alert.”
theprint.in
“There is devastation everywhere we look. The settlements next to the river have been completely swept away. Five of my own relatives are missing.”
theprint.in
Qianggong Zhang
Head of climate and environmental risks at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
“With a blockage still lodged upstream on the Nepal-China border river, authorities warn a second flood may occur.”
theprint.in
Sources
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