- A massive flash flood in Nepal's Bhotekoshi River swept through villages in Rasuwa, a district bordering China's Tibet region, on Wednesday morning, killing at least 157 people and leaving more than 400, including around 133 Indians, missing or out of contact.
- Rescue workers searched for hundreds of people still missing on Thursday (August 27) after a wall of mud and rock collapsed into a river on the Himalayan border of Nepal and China’s Tibet a day earlier, triggering catastrophic flooding that swept through mountain towns and valleys, killing scores of people.
- Officials at Nepal’s Tourism Ministry told media outlets that around 340 foreigners were among more than 400 tourists missing after the disaster, which hit a mountainous region popular with trekkers and pilgrims.
- According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, 391 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis were out of contact.
- The Indian Embassy in Nepal provided emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals affected by the flash floods: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (August 26) called Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and offered 'all possible humanitarian assistance' to the country as it deals with the devastating flash flood that started at the Nepal-China border and affected townships and tourism spots downstream of the Bhote Koshi river, including Rasuwa and Chitwan.
- The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said a glacial collapse caused seismic activity and 'catastrophic' downstream impacts in Nepal and Tibet, and that a magnitude 5.2 seismic event occurred near the Nepal-China border on Aug 26 at 8:37am local time.
- The cause of the disaster was not immediately clear, but Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said an earthquake likely triggered a landslide, while other theories included a glacial lake flood or an ice avalanche.
A devastating flash flood in Nepal has left at least 157 dead and over 400 missing, including around 340 foreign tourists. The disaster struck early Wednesday morning, sweeping through villages in Rasuwa, a district bordering China’s Tibet region, after a wall of mud and rock collapsed into the Bhotekoshi River.16
Rescue workers are tirelessly searching for survivors, with 391 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis reported out of contact, according to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The Nepal Police confirmed that 157 bodies had been recovered as of late Wednesday.4
The cause of the flash flood remains under investigation, with initial reports suggesting a possible earthquake-triggered landslide that blocked the river. Other theories include a glacial lake flood or an ice avalanche. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered humanitarian assistance to Nepal as the country grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, which has severely impacted popular trekking and pilgrimage areas.8
The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 5.2 seismic event near the Nepal-China border shortly before the flooding began, indicating a potential link between the seismic activity and the catastrophic flooding that followed.7
As rescue operations continue, the situation remains dire for those still unaccounted for, with authorities urging anyone with information about missing individuals to come forward.
“The disaster was triggered by a glacial collapse, not an earthquake, per USGS, which recorded a magnitude 5.2 seismic event near the Nepal-China border. Nepal's Tourism Ministry says around 340 foreigners are among the missing, and India's PM Modi has offered 'all possible humanitarian assistance'.”
