Nepal flash floods : 177 dead, over 800 missing including 133 Indians
At least 162 people were killed and more than 800, including 133 Indians, remained missing after massive flash floods swept through central Nepal on Wednesday, devastating towns and villages, washing away bridges and damaging hydropower projects.
The floods originated in Tibet and surged through the Bhote Koshi River before entering the Trishuli River in Nepal. Rasuwa and Dhading districts near the Tibet border were among the worst affected, with floodwaters later spreading to Nuwakot, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahu and Nawalparasi East.
Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told Parliament that an earthquake struck the Tibet region at 8.37 am local time, with flash floods reported three minutes later. Officials said a rockslide and swelling of the Lhende River along the Nepal-Tibet border may have triggered the floods.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said the flood entered the Trishuli River through the Bhote Koshi at Timure, a border town in Rasuwa. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said the flooding was not caused by rainfall in Rasuwa.
Videos from the affected areas showed torrents of muddy water, rocks and debris sweeping away buildings, vehicles and bridges. Around 100 people have been rescued, with 30 undergoing treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.
At least 80 security personnel, including 44 Nepal Army personnel, were also missing, Khanal told Parliament.
The floods damaged eight operational hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 354 MW and five projects under construction in Rasuwa and Nuwakot. Nineteen motorable bridges were washed away, while a 42-km road connecting Betrawati in Nuwakot with the Rasuwagadhi border crossing was also damaged.
The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been deployed for rescue operations. The Army mobilised 12 helicopters and rescued people from several areas in Rasuwa.
Officials said at least 133 Indians and 37 non-resident Indians were among those missing. At least 50 of the missing Indians were pilgrims travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Thirty-seven missing tourists were from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, according to state authorities. The Isha Foundation said 77 of its members who were at an immigration centre in Nepal were missing, while 495 members had returned safely.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued emergency numbers +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500 for Indians seeking assistance. Several Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, have also opened helplines.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah and assured him of India's full support for rescue and relief operations. India has also sent an initial tranche of relief supplies to Nepal.
Nepal's Flood Forecasting Division warned that the risk remained in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli areas as a lake formed by a river blockage had not been completely drained. Authorities urged people to stay away from the rivers and move to safe locations.
(With inputs from PTI)
