Hundreds Missing After Deadly Flash Flood Hits Nepal-Tibet Border

A devastating flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border has left at least 18 people dead and hundreds missing, including hundreds of foreign travellers, as rescue teams race to reach communities cut off by floodwater, mudslides and damaged infrastructure.

The Nepal Tourism Board says 384 travellers have been reported missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals. Among the foreign nationals are 105 Indians, 17 Malaysians, 12 Britons, four South Africans, three Americans, one Australian and one Dutch national, while the nationalities of a further 111 people have yet to be confirmed.

Most of those missing were travelling towards Tibet, with many believed to have been heading for Mount Kailash and Mansarovar. The affected route is also an important gateway to Langtang National Park and Gosainkunda, a popular trekking and pilgrimage destination.

Death Toll Rises as Rescue Operation Continues

Nepalese police confirmed that at least 18 people had died across several districts. Four deaths were recorded in Gorkha, six in Dhading, seven in Nuwakot and one in Rasuwa.

The Nepalese army has mobilised 15 helicopters for search and rescue operations. Army spokesman Rajaram Basnet said 88 survivors had already been rescued, while efforts were continuing to reach another 115 people in the village of Mailung.

The scale of the destruction has made rescue operations difficult. Roads, bridges, communications networks and hydropower infrastructure have suffered extensive damage, while strong winds have also affected helicopter operations.

Earthquake May Have Triggered Avalanche

Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal told parliament that preliminary information suggested an earthquake may have triggered an avalanche, which then caused the flash flooding.

Officials are still verifying the exact sequence of events, but Khanal said the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts were among the worst affected.

The flooding has also caused significant damage on the Tibetan side of the border. Chinese state media has reported "major casualties" following a mudslide at a trade hub, while footage showed a wall of mud and water hitting buildings at the Gyirong border checkpoint.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an "all-out" search and rescue effort and called for stronger monitoring and early-warning systems to guard against further disasters.

Bridges and Buildings Swept Away

Verified footage from Nepal shows the extraordinary force of the floodwaters.

In Trishuli Bazar in Nuwakot district, the Trishuli River rapidly swelled with water and sediment. A bridge was ripped from its supports and swept downstream, while several multi-storey buildings collapsed soon afterwards.

Other images show homes partially submerged beneath muddy floodwater, with residents and emergency workers attempting to move through the devastated areas.

The damage has left some communities isolated, with communications

disrupted and roads cut off.

Foreign Nationals Among Those Missing

Concern is growing for foreign tourists and workers caught in the disaster.

South Korea's foreign ministry said eight South Korean nationals were uncontactable, while another 10 were stranded in the affected area awaiting rescue. The missing South Koreans were reportedly working on a hydropower project.

The Nepal Tourism Board continues to work with tour operators to establish the whereabouts and safety of those travelling through the region.

With hundreds still unaccounted for, the number of casualties could rise as rescue teams gain access to areas that remain difficult to reach.

Emergency services in Nepal and China are continuing search and rescue operations, while authorities assess the full extent of the damage caused by one of the region's most destructive flash floods in recent years.