Kathmandu: At least 157 people have been killed and hundreds remain missing after a devastating flash flood swept through Nepal’s northern districts along the Nepal–China border, leaving a trail of destruction across the Himalayan region.
The disaster struck on Wednesday, August 26, with the Bhote Koshi River and surrounding river systems swelling suddenly and sending huge volumes of water, mud, rocks and debris downstream. Rasuwa and Dhading were among the worst-affected areas, with homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed.
Hundreds remain unaccounted for
Nepalese authorities are continuing search-and-rescue operations as the number of missing people remains high. More than 400 people, including hundreds of foreign tourists, were initially reported missing, while other reports have placed the wider number of unaccounted people considerably higher as authorities continue verification.
Indian nationals are also among those missing. Reports on Thursday indicated that more than 130 Indian citizens were unaccounted for, many of them travelling through the region towards the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route.
Extensive damage to infrastructure
The flash flood caused widespread damage to transportation and power infrastructure. Roads and bridges were swept away or badly damaged, cutting off several areas and making rescue operations difficult.
Reports indicate that around 40 kilometres of roads and 19 bridges were damaged, while several hydropower facilities were also affected. The destruction has disrupted transportation, communications and electricity supplies in parts of the region.
Landslide and possible glacial collapse under investigation
Initial assessments suggest that the disaster may have been triggered by a massive landslide involving ice and rock, possibly linked to glacial instability. The material reportedly entered a river system and generated a powerful surge of water and debris downstream.
Experts are continuing to investigate the exact sequence of events. The mountainous Himalayan terrain is particularly vulnerable to landslides, sudden floods and other hazards associated with unstable slopes and changing glacial conditions.
Rescue operations continue
Nepalese security forces and emergency teams have been mobilised to search for survivors and evacuate people from high-risk areas. Helicopters are being used where roads and bridges have been destroyed, while rescuers are working through mud and debris to reach affected communities.
The difficult mountainous terrain and damaged infrastructure are slowing rescue efforts, and authorities have warned that the casualty figure could rise as search operations continue.
India has also extended humanitarian and disaster-relief assistance to Nepal. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India’s humanitarian assistance, disaster-relief support and medical aid had reached Kathmandu, with further assistance being mobilised.
The disaster has highlighted once again the vulnerability of Himalayan communities and critical infrastructure to sudden flash floods, landslides and glacial hazards. With rescue operations still underway, authorities continue to assess the full extent of the destruction and locate those who remain missing.
