Photo courtesy of Anadolu
The death toll from devastating flash floods along the Nepal-China border rose to 168 on Thursday as rescuers using helicopters and drones searched for more than 1,300 people still missing.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority confirmed 165 deaths and 826 missing in the country, including tourists, government personnel, soldiers, police officers and residents.
Chinese authorities separately reported three deaths and 558 missing in Gyirong County in Tibet, where a mudslide struck the main border crossing used by travelers between China and Nepal.
Satellite imagery indicated that the disaster may have been triggered by the collapse of a large section of Himalayan glacier about 20 kilometers northeast of the Rasuwa-Rasuwagadhi crossing, sending ice and rock into the Bhotekoshi River.
Among the missing tourists were nearly 300 Indians, 54 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 Britons, 17 Malaysians and eight South Koreans, according to preliminary reports.
Nepalese authorities said 114 people had been airlifted to safety, while the floods destroyed 19 bridges and damaged about 40 kilometers of a major highway, complicating access to several affected communities.
The government declared Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading disaster crisis areas for three months as rescue teams continued operations and residents along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers were warned to remain alert.
India, China and the World Bank also moved to coordinate assistance for rescue, relief and reconstruction efforts, while India sent another aircraft carrying 37.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid, medicines and food supplies.