Catastrophic Floods and Mudslides Devastate Nepal-Tibet Border Leaving Over 160 Dead

More than 160 people were dead and hundreds were missing after torrential floods in the Himalayan border areas of Nepal and Tibet destroyed roads, bridges and power projects.

Police reported that hundreds of tourists, including 400 foreign nationals, were missing as authorities braced for mounting casualties and extensive damage. The death toll reached 162 as of Thursday morning.

Initial reports indicated that an earthquake in the region might have triggered an avalanche leading to the floods, as stated by Nepal's foreign minister, Shisir Khanal, during an address to parliament.

In Nepal, houses and roads were swept away by the surging waters. Meanwhile, officials in China's Tibet expressed fears of major casualties with numerous individuals missing in Gyirong county following a mudslide that struck a land crossing between the neighboring regions.

High river levels prevented rescue helicopters from landing in the affected Nepali areas of Syapru Besi and Timure within the mountainous Rasuwa district, which has an approximate population of 50,000.

Security footage from the Chinese side of the border captured residents fleeing just as a violent torrent of rock, mud, and water demolished buildings and vehicles. District administrator Narendra Pariyar urged inhabitants along the banks of the Bhote Koshi river to relocate to higher ground due to the severe threat.

Nepal's energy ministry reported that 430MW of electricity supplies were impacted, primarily affecting hydroelectric projects and accounting for over 12 percent of the nation's total hydropower capacity of 3.2GW. Rescue operations involving police and military personnel were underway under the direction of Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who advised residents in lower areas and along riverbanks to exercise extreme caution and move to safer locations.