Nepalese and Chinese authorities announced on Thursday that flash floods caused by the collapse of a glacier in the Himalayan mountain range have killed at least 165 people and left nearly 1,500 others missing. The disaster, which occurred on Wednesday, August 26, destroyed villages, bridges, and critical infrastructure in the border areas of the two countries.
According to Nepal Police, by Thursday morning at least 157 to 162 bodies had been recovered in Nepal, while 826 people remained missing, around 500 to 600 of whom were foreign tourists. On the Chinese side of Tibet, state broadcaster CCTV reported that three people had died and 558 were missing, including 260 foreign nationals. Nepalese authorities have warned that the death toll is expected to rise as search operations continue.
Many of those missing were tourists and pilgrims. Among them were approximately 133 to 177 Indian citizens, mostly pilgrims traveling to the sacred Mount Kailash, as well as 63 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 Britons, and 25 Canadians. The main affected areas in Nepal include the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan.
The disaster was caused by the collapse of part of a glacier at high altitude, which was initially mistakenly recorded as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey later confirmed that the recorded shaking was caused by the collapse of a massive mass of ice and rock. A wave of mud, rocks, and water from the Lende Khola River entered the Bhote Koshi and then the Trishuli River, rapidly flowing downstream with destructive force.
Following the floods, 19 bridges and approximately 40 to 43 kilometers of roads were destroyed, while several hydropower projects with a combined capacity of around 430 megawatts — more than 12 percent of Nepal’s national capacity — were damaged. The Nepalese Army and police, with more than 5,000 personnel and the assistance of helicopters, are continuing rescue operations. So far, more than 100 to 125 people have been rescued. India has also sent emergency assistance, including tents, food supplies, and equipment.
Nepalese authorities have warned residents in downstream areas along the Trishuli, Bhote Koshi, and Narayani rivers to stay away from riverbanks. Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office also announced that around 10,000 households are in urgent need of assistance.
The incident is considered one of the deadliest recent natural disasters in the Himalayan region and has once again highlighted the risk of glacier collapses caused by climate change. Search and rescue operations are still underway.
#Floods #Nepal #Tibet #Himalayas #China #Kathmandu #NaturalDisasters #Glacier #ClimateChange #Rescue #MissingPersons #PanahPress
