Kathmandu, en.SERU.co.id — The death toll from a flash flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border has risen sharply, with authorities reporting that hundreds of bodies have been recovered and hundreds of people remain missing.
By late Thursday and early Friday, Nepalese authorities reported that between 359 and 392 bodies had been recovered across eight districts, while around 910 people remained missing or out of contact. The figures remain provisional as search and rescue teams continue working in difficult terrain.
On the Chinese side of the border, state media reported at least three deaths and hundreds of people missing near Gyirong Port. Combined figures from Nepal and China put the number of people unaccounted for at more than 1,400.
Indian Nationals Among Those Missing
India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that between 255 and 290 Indian citizens remain uncontactable in Nepal. The figures are provisional and subject to revision.
“There are 288 Indian nationals who remain uncontactable. These include 73 Indian nationals who are working on the Trishuli-1 power project,” ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The ministry later revised the number to around 290.
At least 84 Indian citizens have been rescued, including pilgrims travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar yatra and workers from the hydropower project. Indian officials are coordinating with authorities in Nepal and China to locate those still missing and assist people stranded in affected areas.
Ice-Rock Avalanche Triggered Flood
The disaster was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche on the Tibetan side, which temporarily blocked the Lhende River, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi. The natural dam later breached, sending a surge of water, mud and debris downstream.
Assessments by Nepalese authorities and the US Geological Survey indicate that the event was linked to a glacial collapse rather than an earthquake.
Authorities have also warned about a new barrier lake upstream, which could potentially breach and cause another surge of water. Residents and rescue teams along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors have been urged to remain alert.
Thousands of personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force are continuing search and rescue operations, with helicopters being used to evacuate survivors and deliver emergency supplies.
The government has declared several affected areas disaster crisis zones. Casualty and missing-person figures are expected to change as authorities continue verifying information from the field.
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