At least 162 people have died and hundreds, including 133 Indians, remain missing after flash floods and landslides swept communities along Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River near the Tibet border. Rescue teams continued searching through mud and debris for survivors. India has sent 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid and essential medicines, while the US announced $500,000 in emergency assistance.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued emergency numbers for assistance and information related to Indian nationals that have been affected by the flash floods. In a post on X, it said people can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500
The Nepal Tourism Board has issued a toll free emergency number 1234 or hotline 1144 or tourist police 9851289445 for help.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were put on high alert on Wednesday after flash floods in neighbouring Nepal caused damage across several districts in the Gandak river basin. Authorities began emergency preparations, including moving people away from vulnerable areas.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday directed officials to identify state residents stranded in Nepal following the devastating floods and ensure their safe evacuation.
Naidu asked the Real Time Governance System (RTGS) to continuously monitor the situation and assist affected pilgrims while coordinating with the Centre.
A dedicated control room has also been set up at AP Bhavan in Delhi to coordinate information and assistance.
Helpline numbers: 011-23384016, 011-23387089 or WhatsApp at 9059824101.
The Karnataka government has released helpline numbers to assist people from the state stranded in Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region following flash floods. The State Emergency Operation Centre is collecting information on those affected or stranded in the region.
Helpline numbers: 1070 / 080-22253707.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said he was “blissfully unaware” of the devastation caused by flash floods in Nepal when he travelled to Kathmandu on Wednesday. In a post on X, Tharoor said he learnt upon arrival that the disaster had killed at least 160 people, with around 2,000 feared missing.
He highlighted the destruction of bridges, roads and hydropower projects and expressed support for India’s relief assistance to Nepal. Tharoor also expressed concern for the victims and missing people, including Indian tourists and pilgrims undertaking the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.
India has handed over 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Nepal to support relief efforts following devastating floods. Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava handed over the aid to Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadka Raj Poudel.
Aerial views show widespread devastation after flash floods in Nepal’s Nuwakot district
Nepal said 468 tourists and travellers, including 393 foreign nationals, remained out of contact on Thursday, 24 hours after a deadly flood swept through the border region near Tibet.
"About 468 tourists and travellers are out of contact, among them 75 are Nepalis," Suraj Ghimire, department of tourism spokesperson, told news agency AFP.
China's state media said 558 people were missing in Tibet after floods that also left hundreds unaccounted for in neighbouring Nepal.
Of those missing in Tibet, 260 were foreign nationals, CCTV reported. The death toll remained at three, according to the report.
The death toll in the massive flash floods in Nepal rose to 162, leaving scores, including security personnel and foreign tourists, missing, and sweeping away properties in one of the country's worst disasters in recent years, according to a media report.
The flash floods on Wednesday wreaked havoc across three districts in Nepal.
It was caused after an avalanche blocked the flow of the Lhende tributary of the Bhotekoshi and first hit Timure, near Nepal's border with China at Rasuwagadhi, The Kathmandu Post reported.
Much of the settlement, home to hundreds of people, was swept away before the flood surged downstream.
With no rainfall reported in the area, residents had no warning of the disaster and were going about their daily routines when the flood struck.
The United States has pledged $500,000 in emergency assistance to support rescue efforts following devastating flash floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa district. The State Department also said it is deploying a disaster response advisor to the region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed solidarity with the Nepali people and offered condolences to families of those killed.
Hundreds of foreign nationals are missing in Nepal after devastating flash floods on Wednesday killed at least 165 people.
Official figures suggested at least 341 foreigners were among the missing.
Hikers and climbers from around the world flock to the Himalayan nation to test themselves on some of the world's highest peaks, Mount Everest among them.
The US Geological Survey said a glacial collapse and debris flow, rather than an earthquake, caused the catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster killed at least 160 people, with hundreds still missing. The USGS said satellite imagery and seismic data confirmed the event was linked to a glacial collapse.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep sadness over severe flooding in Nepal and China that has claimed lives, left people missing and caused widespread destruction. He extended condolences to the victims’ families and said the UN is supporting Nepal’s government-led response by mobilising supplies and personnel.