Casablanca – A catastrophic flash flood swept through northern Nepal on Wednesday after an ice and rock collapse in the Himalayas sent a surge of water, mud and boulders through the Lhende Khola and into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said Thursday that 165 bodies had been recovered, while 826 people remained missing. The missing include 85 security personnel and hundreds of tourists.
The Nepal Tourism Board said 579 tourists were still unaccounted for, including 466 foreign nationals and 113 Nepalis. The missing foreign nationals include travelers from India, the United States, Ukraine, Australia, Britain, Canada and several other countries.
The flood struck the Rasuwa district near the Nepal-China border before moving downstream. ICIMOD said water levels in the Trishuli River at Galchchi rose by as much as nine meters in 30 minutes, while levels at Malekhu rose by about seven meters over a similar period.
Initial assessments indicate that a large volume of ice and rock entered the Lhende Khola, possibly creating a temporary blockage before the water broke through and surged downstream. Scientists are still investigating the exact sequence of events.
The US Geological Survey said seismic signals initially reported as an earthquake were instead generated by the glacial collapse and resulting debris flow.
The disaster destroyed homes, roads and bridges across several districts. Authorities said 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and around 40 kilometers of roads were damaged.
Nepal has deployed more than 5,000 army and police personnel for rescue operations. Helicopters have been used to evacuate people and deliver supplies. So far, 123 people, including 94 Nepalis and 29 foreigners, have been rescued from Timure in Rasuwa.
Across the border in Tibet, Chinese authorities reported three deaths and 558 missing people in Gyirong County, including 260 foreign nationals. The combined number of missing people on both sides is around 1,500.
