Nepal floods kill at least 95, over 100 Indians reportedly missing

At least 95 people have been killed in Nepal after a massive flash flood swept through areas along the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, with hundreds of people still unaccounted for, including 105 Indian nationals, officials said.

The disaster struck the Bhote Koshi river system in Rasuwa district, near the Nepal-China border, before floodwaters and debris surged downstream into parts of Nuwakot and Dhading. Roads, bridges, settlements and power infrastructure were damaged in the flooding.

105 Indians among missing travellers

The Nepal Tourism Board said a preliminary list identified 384 travellers who were reported missing from the affected areas. The list comprises 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, with 105 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs) among those unaccounted for.

The Tourism Board said the figures were preliminary and were being verified and cross-checked with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies. Several of the missing Indians were reportedly travelling towards Tibet for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.

The Indian Embassy in Nepal has issued emergency helpline numbers for Indian nationals affected by the floods and their families.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and offered India’s assistance. Modi said, “India is prepared to provide Nepal with all possible types of humanitarian assistance.” He added that the two countries’ teams were coordinating on rescue and relief operations.

India has also dispatched 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) materials and essential medicines to support the neighbouring country.

Ice-rock avalanche suspected behind flooding

Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said satellite imagery indicated a “snow-rock landslide” near the Nepal-China border may have triggered the disaster.

Authorities and experts have also pointed to a possible glacier collapse or ice-rock avalanche. Reuters reported that satellite images reviewed by experts showed a substantial portion of a glacier snout collapsing at an altitude of around 5,200 metres, sending ice, rock and sediment into the valley. The precise trigger remains under investigation.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Shah said the government was mobilising all available resources for rescue and relief operations. “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,” he said.

430 MW power capacity damaged

The floods have also caused extensive damage to Nepal’s power infrastructure. The Nepal Electricity Authority said around 430 MW of generation capacity, including hydropower and solar facilities, had been damaged.

“The disaster has damaged the production, transmission and distribution facilities of the Authority… resulting in disruption of electricity supply,” the authority said.

Rescue operations involving the Nepal Army, police and other security agencies are continuing, although bad weather, damaged roads and disrupted communications have hampered efforts. Authorities have also warned people living near the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers to move to safer areas.

The flooding has prompted authorities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to monitor downstream river levels as the surge moves through the river system.