A severe flash flood at the Nepal border with China's Tibet region on 26/8 buried many structures, raising concerns about significant casualties.
Surveillance camera footage showed muddy floodwaters from the Tibetan mountains surging like a tsunami, sweeping through buildings at the border crossing and inundating Nepal's Rasuwa region, as residents fled in panic. At least 95 people died, and the casualty count could rise.
Flash flood buries the Nepal - China border area, 26/8. *Video: BNO News*
Xinhua news agency reported that flash floods and landslides occurred on the Nepali side, affecting the Gyirong border crossing and disrupting traffic, communications, and power systems in the Shigatse area near the border.
The flash floods continued downstream, sweeping away many homes, roads, bridges, and power infrastructure in Nepali villages.
Nepali officials reported that 384 tourists were missing, including 291 from countries such as India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Despite racing to find victims, Nepali officials stated that rescue helicopters could not land in the affected areas of Syapru Besi and Timure in the mountainous Rasuwa district, which has a population of about 50,000, due to river levels rising above normal.
Nepali television broadcast images of collapsed homes amidst the floodwaters, drifting cars, and a swept-away iron bridge, while witnesses recounted that the floodwaters had submerged entire villages.
"There could be significant casualties or extensive property damage", said Narendra Pariyar, the administrative official for Rasuwa district, urging residents living along the Bhote Koshi riverbanks to move to higher ground.
Chinese President Xi Jinping directed search efforts for the missing with the "highest determination", also calling for enhanced monitoring and early warning systems to prevent secondary disasters.
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Homes in Nuwakot district, Nepal, inundated by mud from the flash flood on 26/8. *Photo: AP*
Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated that police and military forces are involved in rescue operations, directing officials to relocate residents in downstream areas to safer locations.
Originating in Tibet, the Bhote Koshi river flows into Nepal's Trishuli river and then into India as the Gandak river. Last year's flood on the Bhote Koshi river killed 9 people and swept away the friendship bridge connecting Nepal with China, disrupting trade and traffic for many months.
Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, Reuters, Guardian)
