Torrential floods in Nepal and Tibet leave Americans missing
Three Americans are among hundreds of people missing after torrential floods swept through the Himalayan border areas of Nepal and China’s Tibet destroying roads, bridges, and power projects on Wednesday, reports BritPanorama.
At least eight individuals have been confirmed dead in the floods, according to a police spokesperson, as the country braces for additional casualties and worsening damage from the deluge, which has obliterated homes and transportation routes.
Officials in Tibet expressed concerns over “major casualties,” particularly in the Gyirong area, following a mudslide that impacted a land crossing between the two countries.
The Nepal Tourism Board has indicated that it is working to verify the status of 384 travelers, including 291 foreigners, identified via records from tourism and travel companies, with three Americans among those unaccounted for.
Rescue helicopters have been unable to reach affected areas in Nepal’s Syapru Besi and Timure regions in Rasuwa district, home to roughly 50,000 residents, as river levels rise beyond their usual patterns.
Television broadcasts have shown images of destroyed homes, submerged vehicles, and washed-away bridges, while eyewitness accounts report entire villages being engulfed by floodwaters.
District administrator Narendra Pariyar warned, “There could be heavy casualties or loss of property,” urging residents near the Bhote Koshi river to seek higher ground as reports of extensive damage emerge.
Local health worker Tula Bahadur BK reported pervasive devastation, stating, “The settlements next to the river have been completely swept away. Five of my own relatives are missing.”
According to army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet, Nepal’s rescue helicopters cannot reach the affected locations until water levels subside.
The cause of the flooding remains unclear, although a similar flash flood on the same river last year was traced to the draining of a glacier lake.
China’s state media, Xinhua, reported that the mudslide on the Nepali side disrupted roads, communications, and power in Shigatse, a border region, but provided no further details.
President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out” search efforts for those missing and emphasized the need for enhanced monitoring and early warning systems to mitigate future disasters.
The floods have also impacted Nepal’s energy sector, with the energy ministry reporting a disruption of 430 MW of electricity supply, primarily from hydroelectric projects, equating to over 12% of the national hydropower capacity of 3.2 GW.
Rescue efforts have mobilized police and military involvement, according to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who stated, “Instructions have been given to move the people living in the lower areas to safer places.” He urged residents near the river to remain vigilant.
Originating in Tibet, the Bhote Koshi river flows into Nepal’s Trishuli river, eventually connecting with the Gandak river in India.
A previous flood in the Bhote Koshi region last year resulted in nine fatalities and 24 individuals missing, severely impacting transport and trade by washing away a bridge connecting Nepal and China.
The last flood was attributed to the drainage of a supraglacial lake in Tibet, as reported by a regional climate monitoring agency.
