Deadly Floods Hit Nepal and Tibet, With Hundreds Feared Missing

(Photo: Under Section 27A)

The governments of Nepal and Tibet declared a state of emergency in parts of their territories on Wednesday after massive flash floods struck an area in northern Nepal and the adjacent region of Tibet. The governments reported fears of heavy casualties. So far, 17 deaths have been confirmed. Nepalese government officials said that an earthquake may have triggered an avalanche, which then led to the flooding.

Nepal reported that 384 tourists, including 291 citizens of the United States, Britain, India, and Malaysia, have been listed as missing. Israel's Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem is checking whether Israelis were in those areas. So far, no reports have been received of missing Israelis.

The flooding struck earlier today in Rasuwa, an area north of Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. It borders the Himalayan region of Tibet and lies along Nepal's main trade route with China. Numerous villages and infrastructure were reported damaged, including a hydropower dam.

(Photo: Under Section 27A)

The BBC reported that officials believe the flooding was caused by melting snow that fell into the Bhote Koshi River, which flows from Tibet into Nepal. Officials expect the damage to be severe, but it is still too early to assess its full extent, Rasuwa district officer Narendra Pariyar told BBC Nepali.

"Our logistics company has seven container trucks there, all staffed by Nepalese workers. We have lost contact with all of them. There is no signal, so we cannot reach anyone," Yi Liang, a Chinese businessman based in Kathmandu, told the BBC. "As far as I know, there was no warning. There were occasional mudslides and landslides, especially during the rainy season, but this time appears far more severe."

Nepal's disaster management authority urged people living near riverbanks in vulnerable areas to remain alert and take precautions. "Work has begun on taking the necessary measures in coordination with medical teams, scouts, and the Red Cross," Prime Minister Balendra Shah said in a social media post after holding an emergency meeting to review the situation.

Authorities said that 13 police officers from the Armed Police Force are missing from two posts in Rasuwa District, and they have been unable to contact dozens of other officers.

It is worth noting that Rasuwa experienced deadly floods last year that killed 18 people after a glacier collapsed on the Chinese side of the border. Officials told the BBC that they believe the scale of Wednesday's disaster exceeds last year's flooding.