Kathmandu: A catastrophic flash flood along the Nepal-China border has killed at least 160 people and left hundreds of tourists, workers and residents missing, as rescue teams continue to search areas devastated by one of the region’s worst recent disasters.
Newly surfaced CCTV footage from Gyirong Port in Tibet, located opposite Nepal’s Rasuwa district, shows the sudden force of floodwaters sweeping through the border area. The deluge struck the Tibetan side before moving into Nepal, where it caused extensive destruction across settlements and vital infrastructure.
The scale of the damage has brought movement in several parts of the region to a standstill, with roads and bridges destroyed and communities cut off from surrounding areas.
Roads, Bridges and Hydropower Projects Destroyed
The flooding has caused widespread damage to Nepal’s transport and energy infrastructure.
Preliminary assessments indicate that 19 bridges and around 40 kilometres of roads have been washed away or severely damaged. At least 13 hydropower projects have also suffered damage, while more than 200 trucks were reportedly swept away by the floodwaters.
The destruction has made it difficult for rescue teams to reach some of the worst-affected locations and has disrupted an important trade and travel route between Nepal and Tibet.
Hundreds Remain Missing
The number of casualties is expected to change as authorities gain access to areas that remain cut off.
Tourists, workers, drivers and local residents are among those reported missing. The region was also being used by travellers heading towards Tibet, raising concerns over the safety of foreign nationals caught in the disaster.
Search teams are facing difficult conditions because of damaged roads, unstable terrain and continuing risks in the mountainous region.
Glacier Avalanche Suspected Behind Flood
Experts believe a glacier-related avalanche may have triggered the sudden release of water that produced the devastating flood.
The incident occurred in the Himalayan region, where rising temperatures and accelerated glacier changes have increased concerns about sudden water releases and glacial hazards.
However, authorities are still examining the precise chain of events that led to the enormous surge of water.
India and China Offer Assistance
The disaster has prompted both India and China to extend support to Nepal.
The Nepalese government has appealed to non-governmental organisations and other agencies to assist with rescue, relief and emergency response operations.
India is also coordinating assistance for people affected by the disaster, particularly its nationals who may have been travelling through the region. Chinese authorities have simultaneously launched rescue efforts on the Tibetan side of the border.
Border Area Faces Major Disruption
The flash flood has severely affected one of the key routes connecting Nepal with Tibet. The destruction of roads and bridges is expected to complicate the movement of relief supplies and emergency personnel.
Officials are now focused on reaching stranded communities, locating missing people and assessing the full extent of the damage.
As rescue operations continue, authorities are working to establish a clearer picture of the casualties and the number of people still unaccounted for. The mountainous terrain and destruction of basic infrastructure are likely to make the recovery operation particularly challenging.
