A devastating flash flood, likely caused by an avalanche from a glacier, struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on Wednesday, leading to widespread destruction and significant casualties. At least 157 bodies have been recovered in Nepal, with China reporting three deaths and 265 missing in Tibet's Gyirong County. Officials in Nepal estimate at least 403 people are missing, including 341 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis. These missing include 133 Indian pilgrims, 47 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 Britons, and 24 Canadians, along with 85 security personnel and 60 individuals associated with various hydropower projects.
The flood, which originated from the Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi river, swept away villages and infrastructure without warning due to an avalanche blocking the river's flow and causing a sudden surge downstream. The disaster destroyed at least 19 bridges and approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) of road, severely impacting travel and isolating communities. Nine hydropower projects and an equal number of commercial bank branches were also damaged or destroyed.
Experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development attributed the flash flood to an avalanche from a glacier in the warming Himalayan region, with satellite images confirming an avalanche about 20 kilometers northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border crossing in Tibet. Despite a warning being issued by Nepal's Flood Forecasting Division four minutes after receiving information about the flood, it was too late for many in Rasuwa. However, officials believe the alerts sent downstream to Nuwakot and other areas may have saved hundreds of lives, as water levels on the Trishuli river rose by as much as nine meters (27 feet) in half an hour at one point.
