Himalayan Flood Leaves 1,500 Missing in Nepal and Tibet

A catastrophic flood has swept through towns and valleys in Nepal and China’s Tibet region, leaving an estimated 1,500 people missing. The disaster was caused by a wall of mud and rock collapsing into a Himalayan river, unleashing a torrent of debris.

Rescuers in Nepal have deployed helicopters to search for survivors and deliver emergency supplies to thousands who have been cut off. The affected area is a rugged mountainous region popular with trekkers and pilgrims travelling between Lhasa and Kathmandu. Authorities fear the death toll, currently standing at 165, will rise significantly as search efforts continue.

Among the missing in Nepal are nearly 600 foreign nationals from over two dozen countries, including significant numbers from India, the United States, Australia, Britain, and Canada. In Tibet’s Gyirong county, 558 people are reported missing, including 260 foreign nationals.

Verified footage from the Chinese side of the border shows people desperately fleeing a destructive wave of rock, mud, and water that obliterated buildings and vehicles. Survivors have recounted harrowing experiences of being swept away by the mud. One man described trying to save his wife as the torrent entered their home, only for her to be washed away.

Emergency deliveries of tents, food, and supplies, provided by India, are being air-dropped into the hardest-hit districts. Over 5,000 army and police personnel have been mobilized for rescue and recovery operations. Initial reports suggest an earthquake may have triggered the glacial collapse that led to the flood. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed seismic energy from a glacial rock and ice collapse, followed by a debris flow.

Rescue efforts are complicated by the potential risk of a dammed lake upstream in Gyirong, which could exacerbate the situation. Many of the missing were on pilgrimages to the sacred site of Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet. International aid and support are being mobilized, with the U.S. providing $500,000 in assistance and the UN sending supplies and personnel.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)