KATHMANDU, Nepal — A devastating series of flash floods in the Nepal-Tibet border region has left hundreds of tourists unaccounted for, including four South African nationals and hundreds of Indian citizens. The disaster, which struck the mountainous Rasuba district of Nepal, has already claimed at least 31 lives, with authorities warning that the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
The Nepal Tourism Board confirmed that more than 300 travelers are currently missing in the popular northern district that borders Tibet. While the nationalities of over 100 individuals remain unconfirmed, the Indian government has stated that its embassy in Kathmandu is actively engaged with Nepalese authorities to facilitate early rescue and relief operations for affected Indian nationals.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with his Nepalese counterpart, Balendra Shah, to convey condolences for the tragic loss of life. Modi emphasized that the people of India stand in solidarity with Nepal during this difficult time and affirmed that India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance.
Initial reports suggest that a landslide may have triggered the sudden flash floods, though officials note there is no official confirmation yet. Footage circulated online by police teams captures the sheer force of the disaster, showing a massive surge of water rushing toward multi-story buildings along a river. The floodwaters were seen sweeping away a bridge and destroying houses within a matter of minutes.
Armed forces and paramilitary troops have been deployed for rescue operations, utilizing helicopters to evacuate stranded individuals to safety. However, officials report that in some of the worst-hit areas, water levels remain so high that helicopters have been unable to land. Authorities have urgently requested residents living close to river banks in impacted zones to move to higher ground immediately.
The crisis has also triggered regional alerts. An emergency alert has been sounded in certain border regions of India, where paramilitary troops are on high alert. Local Indian officials are maintaining strict vigilance due to concerns that the floodwaters could flow downstream and impact Indian river systems.
Meanwhile, casualties have also been reported in Tibet, which is controlled by China, specifically at the Gyirong Border Port. According to Chinese state media, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out search and rescue efforts to address the devastation in the region.