A video, over two minutes long, posted on social media on 28/8, captured a remarkable scene: at least three people, including two adults and one child, stood on the balcony of a light blue, two-story house. Around them, floodwaters carrying mud, boulders, and debris surged continuously through a residential area during a flash flood that struck on 26/8.

Despite multiple waves damaging its rear and collapsing the right-side balcony, the house's main structure remained intact. Surrounding buildings, however, were entirely swept away by the powerful floodwaters. Images captured after the water receded confirmed the occupants were safe and awaiting rescue.

The flash flood, which occurred on 26/8, was triggered by a glacier collapse, generating a massive flow that surged into the valley below. These powerful waters rushed down the steep terrain at over 160 km/h, carrying gravel, boulders, and large tree trunks, creating waves up to 21 m high. The BBC reported the house is located in Nepal, in the area along the Trishulin river, though its specific location remains unidentified.

Today, Nepal officials announced 626 fatalities and 2,426 missing people in the country following the disaster. China also reported seven deaths and 554 missing individuals in the same catastrophe.

Rescue teams are racing against time to evacuate survivors from the affected area, where food and water supplies are depleting. The search for missing people is becoming increasingly difficult due to the risk of further floods, as mudslides have blocked waterways, forming upstream lakes.

The path of the tsunami-like flash flood on the Nepal-China border on 26/8. Graphics: Reuters

The Red Cross estimates approximately 93,000 people have been impacted by the flash flood. The organization anticipates the death toll will rise and assesses the disaster has caused "terrible psychological trauma" for survivors. "All residential areas near the river were swept away; nothing remains," stated Buddhi Ram Dangol, one of the survivors, who noted they lost everything and face rebuilding their lives from scratch while awaiting news of missing relatives.

By Thanh Danh (Source: Indian Express, India Today)