Flood Fury / Nepal-Tibet Flash Floods: Death Toll Rises to 469; Around 290 Indians Uncontactable
·2 hours ago·7 min read
Key Points
A glacial collapse-triggered avalanche has killed 469 people across Nepal and Tibet, with 1,468 still missing; India is tracing 290 nationals uncontactable in Nepal.
Kathmandu/New Delhi, Aug 28: The death toll from devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border rose to 469 on Friday, while 1,468 people remained missing on both sides of the border as rescue teams battled damaged roads, washed-away bridges and extensive mud and debris.
India was also racing to trace 290 nationals who remain uncontactable in Nepal. Rescue operations continued across affected areas, while authorities warned of a possible further flood surge from a newly formed barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system.
Glacial Collapse Triggered Flash Floods
The floods followed an ice-rock avalanche triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting torrent of water, mud and debris swept through central Nepal, damaging homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
Rasuwa and Nuwakot were among the worst-affected areas, with several settlements buried under mud and debris. The flood also travelled downstream through the Bhote Koshi river system, damaging hydropower projects and other infrastructure.
Several villages remain difficult to access after roads and bridges were washed away. Rescue teams have been searching riverbanks and isolated settlements for survivors and recovering bodies carried downstream.
India was also racing to trace 290 nationals who remain uncontactable in Nepal. Rescue operations continued across affected areas, while authorities warned of a possible further flood surge from a newly formed barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system.
Glacial Collapse Triggered Flash Floods
The floods followed an ice-rock avalanche triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting torrent of water, mud and debris swept through central Nepal, damaging homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
Rasuwa and Nuwakot were among the worst-affected areas, with several settlements buried under mud and debris. The flood also travelled downstream through the Bhote Koshi river system, damaging hydropower projects and other infrastructure.
Several villages remain difficult to access after roads and bridges were washed away. Rescue teams have been searching riverbanks and isolated settlements for survivors and recovering bodies carried downstream.
📱 Get Argus News App
✨📰 60 Word News🎬 Argus Podcast📺 Live TV and Breaking News🔔 Free Notification Alerts
Download Free:
469 Dead; 1,468 Still Missing
Nepal Police said 796 people, including 50 foreigners, had been rescued from affected areas by helicopter, while another 796 had been evacuated by land. The police did not specify the nationalities of the foreigners.
Nepal authorities reported 910 people missing, while officials in Tibet said 558 people remained unaccounted for, taking the combined number of missing people on both sides of the border to 1,468.
Nepalese security personnel have evacuated more than 800 people from affected districts, while helicopters, drones and ground teams continue to search isolated settlements, riverbanks and downstream areas.
Nepal Police said 137 bodies had been recovered from Chitwan, the highest number among the affected districts. Bodies were also recovered from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun and Nawalparasi.
At least 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel are among those whose whereabouts remain unknown. Around 160 people working at hydropower projects and customs offices have also been reported missing.
Damaged roads, collapsed bridges, deep deposits of mud and debris and the continuing risk of further flooding have hampered rescue operations.
Nepal Police said 796 people, including 50 foreigners, had been rescued from affected areas by helicopter, while another 796 had been evacuated by land. The police did not specify the nationalities of the foreigners.
Nepal authorities reported 910 people missing, while officials in Tibet said 558 people remained unaccounted for, taking the combined number of missing people on both sides of the border to 1,468.
Nepalese security personnel have evacuated more than 800 people from affected districts, while helicopters, drones and ground teams continue to search isolated settlements, riverbanks and downstream areas.
Nepal Police said 137 bodies had been recovered from Chitwan, the highest number among the affected districts. Bodies were also recovered from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun and Nawalparasi.
At least 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel are among those whose whereabouts remain unknown. Around 160 people working at hydropower projects and customs offices have also been reported missing.
Damaged roads, collapsed bridges, deep deposits of mud and debris and the continuing risk of further flooding have hampered rescue operations.
290 Indians Remain Uncontactable
India has stepped up rescue and relief efforts, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying 290 Indian nationals in Nepal remain uncontactable.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said urgent efforts were underway to ascertain their whereabouts and coordinate their rescue. The missing Indians include hydropower workers and tourist groups from different states.
Following a high-level meeting attended virtually by India's envoys in Kathmandu and Beijing, Jaishankar said the ministry was coordinating with the Nepalese government, other ministries, state governments, tour operators and relevant authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured him of India's full humanitarian assistance.
India has so far rescued 84 nationals, including 63 workers from the Trishuli-I run-of-river hydroelectric project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu.
Around 200 Indian nationals on the Tibet side have sought assistance for evacuation, with some already moving towards Nepal.
The MEA has also established a 24-hour control room to assist with tracing and evacuation efforts.
27 Foreign Tourists Rescued
Nepalese authorities rescued 27 foreign tourists stranded in Rasuwa on Thursday, including 11 Indians.
The group also included four South Koreans, two Italians and two US citizens. The nationalities of the remaining eight had not been confirmed by the Nepal Tourism Board.
The tourists were airlifted to Kathmandu by the Nepal Army.
Most Indian tourists affected by the disaster were travelling towards Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet or Gosainkunda in Nepal's Bagmati Province.
Delhi-Kathmandu bus services have also been suspended as a precautionary measure after the flash floods disrupted road transport.
The Delhi Transport Corporation suspended the Aug 28 Delhi-Kathmandu journey and the return service from Kathmandu to Delhi. The Aug 29 Delhi-Kathmandu service has also been suspended for now.
Also Read: Flash Floods: 300 Indians Missing, Says Nepal Foreign Ministers
63 Indian Workers Rescued
Sixty-three Indian nationals working at the Trishuli-I power project site have been rescued following the flash floods.
The Nepal Army also rescued around 350 workers and staff who were trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli hydropower project. Several Indian workers were among those at the project site.
India Sends 47.5 Tonnes Of Relief
India has increased humanitarian assistance to Nepal as rescue operations continue.
After sending 10 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief material on Wednesday, India dispatched another 37.5 tonnes on Thursday in a military transport aircraft, taking the total relief sent to 47.5 tonnes.
The supplies include temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, medicines and food packets.
India has said it stands “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Nepal as the neighbouring country deals with the disaster.
Barrier Lake Raises Further Flood Risk
Authorities are also monitoring a newly formed barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system.
Chinese authorities estimated that around 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake by Thursday morning. Another 3 million cubic metres could potentially flow into the lake over the following three days, raising concerns that the natural barrier could breach.
The lake formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers, which originate in Tibet and flow into Nepal as part of the Bhote Koshi river system.
Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said it had received information from Chinese authorities about the lake and warned of a continuing risk of flooding in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river areas.
It urged people to stay away from riverbanks and remain in safe places. Travellers, security personnel and search-and-rescue teams were also advised to remain alert.
Chinese authorities are monitoring the lake and conducting flood simulations and risk assessments. A Chinese rescue team carrying communications and detection equipment has reached Gyirong to assess the upstream blockage.
Officials are concerned that a breach could trigger another flood and further complicate rescue operations.
Glacial Collapse, Not Earthquake
The flash floods began after an ice-rock avalanche triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent water, mud and debris downstream through central Nepal.
A preliminary assessment by Nepalese authorities, supported by a revised analysis by the US Geological Survey, identified a glacial collapse and debris flow rather than an earthquake as the trigger.
The ice-rock avalanche struck the Lhende River and temporarily blocked its flow. When the natural barrier gave way, a surge of water was released downstream into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river system.
Nepal's disaster management authority said a debris-laden flood occurred in the Lhende River following an ice-rock landslide near the Nepal-China border, about 20 km northeast of Rasuwagadhi border city. The flood subsequently entered the Trishuli river after passing through Timure.
The US Geological Survey said its analysis of long-period seismic waves showed that the event initially reported as a magnitude-4.4 earthquake was generated by a glacial collapse and debris flow rather than an earthquake.
A separate magnitude-3.2 earthquake also jolted parts of Nepal on Thursday.
Roads, Bridges And Power Projects Damaged
The floods caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure across several districts.
Nepal's Department of Roads said the entire 42-km road section between Betrawati in Nuwakot and Rasuwagadhi was damaged at multiple points, while several concrete bridges were washed away.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the floods damaged 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and around 40 km of black-topped roads.
Hydropower infrastructure also suffered major damage. The Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects, along with other power infrastructure, were affected.
Authorities are working to reopen the Galchhi-Baireni road in Dhading, which was blocked after the floods in Rasuwa. The route is a key link between Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal and an important transit corridor for heavy and light traffic.
The first major devastation was reported in Rasuwa district, about 160 km from Kathmandu, after the ice-rock avalanche and debris flow near the Nepal-Tibet border.
A torrent of water, mud, rocks and debris tore through settlements including Timure and Rasuwagadhi before surging downstream through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river system.
India has stepped up rescue and relief efforts, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying 290 Indian nationals in Nepal remain uncontactable.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said urgent efforts were underway to ascertain their whereabouts and coordinate their rescue. The missing Indians include hydropower workers and tourist groups from different states.
Following a high-level meeting attended virtually by India's envoys in Kathmandu and Beijing, Jaishankar said the ministry was coordinating with the Nepalese government, other ministries, state governments, tour operators and relevant authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured him of India's full humanitarian assistance.
India has so far rescued 84 nationals, including 63 workers from the Trishuli-I run-of-river hydroelectric project and 21 people from Tamil Nadu.
Around 200 Indian nationals on the Tibet side have sought assistance for evacuation, with some already moving towards Nepal.
The MEA has also established a 24-hour control room to assist with tracing and evacuation efforts.
27 Foreign Tourists Rescued
Nepalese authorities rescued 27 foreign tourists stranded in Rasuwa on Thursday, including 11 Indians.
The group also included four South Koreans, two Italians and two US citizens. The nationalities of the remaining eight had not been confirmed by the Nepal Tourism Board.
The tourists were airlifted to Kathmandu by the Nepal Army.
Most Indian tourists affected by the disaster were travelling towards Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet or Gosainkunda in Nepal's Bagmati Province.
Delhi-Kathmandu bus services have also been suspended as a precautionary measure after the flash floods disrupted road transport.
The Delhi Transport Corporation suspended the Aug 28 Delhi-Kathmandu journey and the return service from Kathmandu to Delhi. The Aug 29 Delhi-Kathmandu service has also been suspended for now.
Also Read: Flash Floods: 300 Indians Missing, Says Nepal Foreign Ministers
63 Indian Workers Rescued
Sixty-three Indian nationals working at the Trishuli-I power project site have been rescued following the flash floods.
The Nepal Army also rescued around 350 workers and staff who were trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli hydropower project. Several Indian workers were among those at the project site.
India Sends 47.5 Tonnes Of Relief
India has increased humanitarian assistance to Nepal as rescue operations continue.
After sending 10 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief material on Wednesday, India dispatched another 37.5 tonnes on Thursday in a military transport aircraft, taking the total relief sent to 47.5 tonnes.
The supplies include temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, medicines and food packets.
India has said it stands “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Nepal as the neighbouring country deals with the disaster.
Barrier Lake Raises Further Flood Risk
Authorities are also monitoring a newly formed barrier lake near the source of the Bhote Koshi river system.
Chinese authorities estimated that around 2 million cubic metres of water had accumulated in the lake by Thursday morning. Another 3 million cubic metres could potentially flow into the lake over the following three days, raising concerns that the natural barrier could breach.
The lake formed near the confluence of the Chhochen Khola and Purepu Tsangpo rivers, which originate in Tibet and flow into Nepal as part of the Bhote Koshi river system.
Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said it had received information from Chinese authorities about the lake and warned of a continuing risk of flooding in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river areas.
It urged people to stay away from riverbanks and remain in safe places. Travellers, security personnel and search-and-rescue teams were also advised to remain alert.
Chinese authorities are monitoring the lake and conducting flood simulations and risk assessments. A Chinese rescue team carrying communications and detection equipment has reached Gyirong to assess the upstream blockage.
Officials are concerned that a breach could trigger another flood and further complicate rescue operations.
Glacial Collapse, Not Earthquake
The flash floods began after an ice-rock avalanche triggered by a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border sent water, mud and debris downstream through central Nepal.
A preliminary assessment by Nepalese authorities, supported by a revised analysis by the US Geological Survey, identified a glacial collapse and debris flow rather than an earthquake as the trigger.
The ice-rock avalanche struck the Lhende River and temporarily blocked its flow. When the natural barrier gave way, a surge of water was released downstream into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river system.
Nepal's disaster management authority said a debris-laden flood occurred in the Lhende River following an ice-rock landslide near the Nepal-China border, about 20 km northeast of Rasuwagadhi border city. The flood subsequently entered the Trishuli river after passing through Timure.
The US Geological Survey said its analysis of long-period seismic waves showed that the event initially reported as a magnitude-4.4 earthquake was generated by a glacial collapse and debris flow rather than an earthquake.
A separate magnitude-3.2 earthquake also jolted parts of Nepal on Thursday.
Roads, Bridges And Power Projects Damaged
The floods caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure across several districts.
Nepal's Department of Roads said the entire 42-km road section between Betrawati in Nuwakot and Rasuwagadhi was damaged at multiple points, while several concrete bridges were washed away.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the floods damaged 35 motorable bridges, 45 suspension bridges and around 40 km of black-topped roads.
Hydropower infrastructure also suffered major damage. The Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects, along with other power infrastructure, were affected.
Authorities are working to reopen the Galchhi-Baireni road in Dhading, which was blocked after the floods in Rasuwa. The route is a key link between Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal and an important transit corridor for heavy and light traffic.
The first major devastation was reported in Rasuwa district, about 160 km from Kathmandu, after the ice-rock avalanche and debris flow near the Nepal-Tibet border.
A torrent of water, mud, rocks and debris tore through settlements including Timure and Rasuwagadhi before surging downstream through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river system.
Related Topics
Explore more stories