At least 105 Indians are among nearly 400 people reported missing after massive flash floods swept through Nepal’s northern Rasuwa district on Wednesday, with the death toll reported at 16.
The disaster struck near Nepal’s border with Tibet, sending a sudden surge of water through the region and washing away homes, vehicles, bridges and infrastructure project sites.
The scale of the disaster has also prompted authorities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to remain alert, given their proximity to Nepal and the possibility of floodwaters moving downstream.
Officials said the surge entered the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibetan side at around 9 am, severely affecting areas including Timure and Syapru Besi.
A mudslide was also reported near the Gyirong border crossing in Tibet, with casualties and missing persons reported there as well, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency.
Videos emerging on social media showed the force of the flooding, with raging water sweeping through roads and settlements. One video appeared to show a bridge being carried away by the floodwaters, while another showed a house collapsing as people fled the area.
The exact cause of the sudden flooding remains unclear.
Nepal's Flood Forecasting Division said the disaster was unlikely to have been triggered by heavy rainfall in Rasuwa. However, satellite imagery indicated significant rainfall on the Tibetan side of the border.
Authorities are also investigating whether the flooding could have been caused by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) — a sudden release of water from a glacial lake that can produce an extremely powerful downstream surge.
The investigation into the cause is continuing as rescue and search operations remain underway.
The flooding has raised concerns downstream, particularly in Bihar, which shares a long and porous border with Nepal.
Authorities are monitoring the movement of water and the situation along rivers connected to the Nepalese river system. Uttar Pradesh has also been placed on alert amid concerns over possible downstream effects.
With hundreds of people still reported missing, rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate survivors and assess the extent of the destruction.
The disaster has left the mountainous border region facing a major humanitarian emergency, while authorities in Nepal, Tibet and neighbouring Indian states closely monitor developments.
