Massive flash floods in a border region between Nepal and Tibet have resulted in over 160 fatalities and left numerous individuals, including 24 Canadian tourists, workers, and others, missing following the devastation of communities and disruption of travel in certain areas.
Nepalese authorities confirmed 162 casualties, while China’s state media reported three deaths and over 558 individuals missing in Tibet’s Gyirong county as of Thursday. Among the missing, 260 were foreign nationals, as reported by CCTV.
The Bhotekoshi River surged around 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday, causing destruction to several villages, roads, and hydropower projects, as stated by Nepali officials. Warnings were issued to residents in various districts of Nepal to stay away from the banks of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli, and Narayani rivers.
Sasmit Pokharel, a spokesperson for the Nepali government, mentioned that they have requested assistance from both India and China for rescue operations. Sunil Sharma, from the Nepal Tourism Board, reported 403 missing individuals, including 341 foreign nationals and 24 Canadians. Nepal’s ambassador to Canada later confirmed the status of the Canadian citizens.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences, urging Canadians in the affected area to register with the ROCA system promptly. Global Affairs Canada acknowledged the impact on Canadians and mentioned potential communication delays due to power outages.
Security footage captured individuals fleeing before a landslide hit the Nepali-Tibet border area. Sharma noted that a significant number of missing persons were pilgrims from India on their way to Mount Kailash in Tibet, with additional individuals from the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. unaccounted for.
Several governments, including China and India, have pledged support for the affected regions. The United Nations is mobilizing resources to assist the affected communities, while Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have directed efforts towards search and rescue operations and humanitarian aid.
The disaster in Nepal has highlighted the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to extreme weather events, emphasizing the urgent need for effective early warning systems and climate adaptation measures in the face of escalating climate change impacts.