At least 160 people died, and nearly 500 people, including 133 Indians, are missing a torrential flash flood originating in Tibet swept through central Nepal districts. Police in Nepal reported at least 157 dead, while China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported at least three dead and 265 missing in the Tibet region’s Gyirong County near the border.
The flood caused devastation in towns and villages, washed away bridges and damaged at least a dozen hydropower projects. Last year too, two catastrophic floods hit Bhotekoshi, wreaking havoc in Rasuwa killing at least 10 people. Check Live Updates Here
What Happened In Nepal
In a still-unfolding disaster, a massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet. The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am (local time) on Wednesday, affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet. Situated near the Tibet border, Rasuwa is about 125 kms northeast of Kathmandu. The flood waters then spread to Nuwakot and Chitawan districts.
Rasuwa Most Affected, Videos Capture Horror
One of the most affected districts in the Nepal flash floods is Rasuwa with videos going viral on social media highlighting the scale of the devastation, purportedly at Rasuwagadhi checkpost in Nepal-China Border.
A massive wall of gushing water could be seen overriding a two-storey building and washing away everything it covered at the checkpost. Scores of people could be seen running away first, apparently at the sound of approaching water, but within seconds are covered by mud and debris left behind by the flash flood.
Social media was full of photos and videos that showed the devastation in the habitations along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.
In Tibet, officials said they feared “major casualties”, Gyirong being most affected. The Chinese military has dispatched drones to conduct damage assessments, a statement said, adding it was organising transport aircraft, helicopters and other equipment to be on standby for rescue operations.
Nepal Army Deploys Helicopters For Rescue
Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel were mobilised in the affected areas to carry out rescue and relief works. Nepal’s PM Balendra Shah conducted an emergency meeting to assess the situation. “These times are very sensitive. Our first priority should be to save the lives of the injured, search for the missing and provide security to the affected people,” Shah said.
Nepal Army mobilised 12 helicopters to conduct search and rescue operations after the flash flood. The Nepal Army has also established a treatment centre at the Military Training Centre No 1 in Trishuli, where medical personnel from Nepal Army are providing emergency medical treatment to the affected people, the statement said.
An Army helicopter (MI17) equipped with an Emergency Medical Rescue Team was also mobilised towards the district hospital in Trishuli, it added.
India Sends First Tranche of Assistance, Releases Helpline Numbers
India on Wednesday night sent the first tranche of relief supplies in a military transport aircraft to Nepal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India dispatched 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) assistance to Nepal.
The relief materials were sent hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah and assured him of all possible humanitarian assistance to deal with the situation.
The relief supplies were sent on board a C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force. It is learnt that New Delhi will send more relief supplies in the next few days with another military transport aircraft expected to be sent to Kathmandu on Thursday morning.
Around 133 Indians are still missing, most of whom were headed for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet. According to Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), of the total of 341 travellers, there were 62 Nepalese nationals, who are missing there.
Remaining tourists were from the US, Malaysia, the UK, South Africa, Australia and Netherlands, NTB said in a statement. At least 59 of the Indians were pilgrims for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, Samrat Tours and Travel agency said.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued emergency numbers for assistance and information related to Indian nationals that have been affected by the flash floods. In a post on X, it said people can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.
The Nepal Tourism Board also issued similar numbers, including a toll free emergency number 1234 or hotline 1144 or tourist police 9851289445 for help.
Indian States On Alert Amid Nepal Floods
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were on high alert following the floods in Nepal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and assured all possible assistance from the Centre to deal with any potential crisis due to the rise in river water level, officials said.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is being mobilised to deal with any emergency, also, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has alerted all its formations along the 1,751-km India-Nepal international border, and 18 teams have been deployed to launch relief and rescue operations.
(With inputs from PTI)