More than 165 dead in Nepal flash flood, over 800 missing including 300 Indian tourists

Nepal Flood (Image via ABC News)

At least 165 people have died in devastating flash floods in Nepal, while more than 800 others remain out of contact, authorities said on Thursday, 27th August. The disaster, which struck areas near the Nepal-Tibet border, is among the country’s worst in recent years.

The US Geological Survey said a glacial collapse triggered seismic activity and caused “catastrophic” downstream impacts in Nepal and Tibet. A huge mass of mud and rocks crashed into a Himalayan river, leading to flash floods that swept through towns and valleys.

Rescue teams continued their search on Thursday, moving through thick mud and sludge to find survivors. In some places, floodwaters buried the lower floors of multi-storey buildings.

Nearly 1,500 missing across Nepal and Tibet

Nepal’s disaster agency said 823 people remained out of contact more than 24 hours after the deadly flood. The number includes at least 579 tourists, both Nepali and foreign nationals.

Police and tourism officials said nearly 500 foreigners were among the 826 people reported missing in Nepal. Meanwhile, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said 558 people were still missing in Tibet’s Gyirong county, including 260 foreign nationals.

Overall, nearly 1,500 people, including almost 800 foreign nationals, remain missing across Nepal and Tibet.

The Bhote Koshi flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa district has claimed 165 lives, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Authorities are working to identify the recovered bodies.

The NDRRMA also said 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force (APF) personnel deployed in affected areas and at police posts were still missing or out of contact.

More than 300 Indians missing

Nepal Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said more than 300 Indian tourists were missing after the flash floods. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava also said nearly 300 Indians remained unaccounted for.

“We have not been able to make contact with them, partly because the communication networks are down and there is no electricity,” Srivastava told NDTV.

Among the missing foreign nationals are people from Australia, Britain, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea and the United States. Earlier information also put the number of missing Indians at 133, though Nepal’s foreign minister later said the number could be over 300.

Australia has reported 34 citizens missing, while at least 47 Americans and 33 British citizens are unaccounted for. Canada has reported 24 missing citizens.

Malaysia has lost contact with at least 11 of its citizens in the affected area. Nine South Koreans working at a hydropower plant are missing, while 10 others are stranded. Japan’s embassy in Nepal has also been unable to contact five Japanese citizens, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi saying a search had been requested to find them.

India sends 10 tonnes of relief aid

India has sent 10 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material, including essential medicines, to Nepal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the assistance was being provided to support relief efforts in the disaster-hit country.

Meanwhile, several Indian state governments and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu have activated emergency helplines for people stranded or affected by the floods.

The Indian Embassy has issued the numbers 977 985 131 6807, 977 970 910 7500 and 977 981 032 6117, which are also available on WhatsApp.

Karnataka has activated its State Emergency Operation Centre at 1070 and 080-22253707, while Telangana has set up a Helpline and Coordination Centre at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi. West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Odisha and Sikkim have also opened emergency helplines for affected residents and their families.

Bihar and UP put on alert

Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have been placed on high alert after the floods in neighbouring Nepal caused damage in several areas of the Gandak river basin. Authorities have started emergency preparations and moved people away from vulnerable locations.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about the situation and the possibility of rising river levels. He said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local authorities and relief and rescue teams had been placed on high alert in border areas where the impact of the floods may be felt.

Written by OpIndia Staff
Last modified at