Nepal Flash Floods: Death Toll Rises to 95, Nearly 400 Missing

A devastating flash flood struck Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border on Wednesday, killing at least 95 people and leaving nearly 400 others missing. Among those missing are 105 Indian tourists and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs), many of whom were travelling on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage.

A sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River swept away vehicles, bridges, houses, villages and several hydropower projects across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts.

The exact cause of the disaster remains under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest that a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or a landslide in Tibet may have triggered the sudden rise in the river.

Large-scale rescue operation

Nepal’s Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have launched a major search-and-rescue operation. Authorities are using 14 helicopters, drones and sniffer dogs to locate survivors and missing people.

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah said more than 90 people had died and over 250 people had been rescued. Around 100 hospital beds have been reserved in Kathmandu for the treatment of victims, while seriously injured people are being airlifted to the capital.

Officials said 19 motorable bridges and around 40 kilometres of roads have been damaged by the floods, severely disrupting transportation and rescue efforts.

India sends emergency assistance

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Prime Minister Balendra Shah, expressed condolences over the loss of life and offered all possible humanitarian assistance.

India has already dispatched 10 tonnes of relief supplies to Nepal aboard Indian Air Force aircraft. New Delhi is also preparing to deploy teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) if required.

Uttar Pradesh authorities have opened helpline 1070 for families seeking information about residents stranded in flood-hit Nepal. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have also been placed on alert over the possibility of floodwaters moving downstream.

Hundreds of tourists remain missing

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers are missing, including 291 foreigners and 93 Nepali nationals. Among them are 105 Indian tourists and 37 NRIs.

A significant number of the missing Indians are believed to have been travelling as part of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, raising concerns in India over their safety.

Indian states have begun collecting information about tourists stranded in Nepal. Maharashtra’s disaster management authorities, for example, are gathering details including names, locations, coordinates and passport or visa information to help trace missing travellers.

Rescue efforts continue

Prime Minister Shah said the government would provide food, clean drinking water, medicines and temporary shelter to affected families. Hospitals in Kathmandu have been placed on standby, while medical teams have been dispatched to the worst-hit areas.

However, the mountainous terrain, damaged roads and bridges, and the large number of people still unaccounted for are making the rescue operation extremely challenging.