At least 160 individuals lost their lives in massive flash floods that struck a border region between Nepal and Tibet, with hundreds more missing, including 24 Canadians. The calamity, which occurred on Wednesday, disrupted travel in various areas as it swept through communities.
Authorities in Nepal confirmed 162 fatalities, while China’s state media reported three deaths and over 558 missing persons in Tibet’s Gyirong county. Among the missing, 260 were foreign nationals, as per CCTV reports.
The Bhotekoshi River surged around 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday, causing devastation to villages, roads, and hydropower projects in Nepal. Authorities issued warnings to residents in multiple districts, advising them to steer clear of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli, and Narayani riverbanks.
Nepali government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel disclosed that they have sought assistance from both India and China for rescue operations. Sunil Sharma from the Nepal Tourism Board stated that 403 individuals, including 341 foreigners, were reported missing, with 24 Canadians among them.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and urged affected Canadians to register with the ROCA system for assistance. Global Affairs Canada acknowledged the situation and mentioned efforts to establish contact with affected Canadians despite communication challenges due to power outages.
Security footage captured people fleeing on the Chinese side of the Nepal-Tibet border before being engulfed by the floods. Sharma highlighted that 133 missing individuals from India were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, with others missing from the U.S., Australia, and Britain.
UN teams mobilized supplies in Nepal to aid affected communities, while Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged support for the search and rescue operations. The Himalayan region, prone to such disasters, faces heightened risks due to climate change and rapid glacier melting.
The catastrophe in the Nepal-Tibet border area serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and reinforces the urgent need for effective early warning systems.