At least 98 dead, hundreds missing in Nepal, China

Massive flash floods in a border area of Nepal and China on Wednesday killed at least 98 people and left hundreds missing, including foreign tourists and workers.

Nepal’s prime minister’s office reported at least 95 deaths, while China’s state broadcaster CCTV said a mudslide in Tibet’s Gyirong County near the border killed at least three people and left 265 missing.

Officials in Nepal said 403 people, including 341 foreign nationals, were reported missing. Among them were 133 Indians on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, along with nationals from the United States, Australia, Britain and Canada.

At least 62 Nepalis were also missing in the Gosaikunda Lake area in Rasuwa, while 28 police officers were unaccounted for.

The flooding destroyed villages, roads and hydropower projects, prompting authorities to warn residents to stay away from several rivers.

“We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts,” government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said.

Climate experts at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said an avalanche from a glacier likely triggered the flash flood.

Water levels on the Trishuli River rose by as much as nine metres in half an hour.

The region experienced similar flash flooding in August last year when a glacial lake in Tibet overflowed. Nine people were killed.

(AP)

Nepal’s prime minister’s office reported at least 95 deaths, while China’s state broadcaster CCTV said a mudslide in Tibet’s Gyirong County near the border killed at least three people and left 265 missing.

Officials in Nepal said 403 people, including 341 foreign nationals, were reported missing. Among them were 133 Indians on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, along with nationals from the United States, Australia, Britain and Canada.

At least 62 Nepalis were also missing in the Gosaikunda Lake area in Rasuwa, while 28 police officers were unaccounted for.

The flooding destroyed villages, roads and hydropower projects, prompting authorities to warn residents to stay away from several rivers.

“We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts,” government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said.

Climate experts at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said an avalanche from a glacier likely triggered the flash flood.

Water levels on the Trishuli River rose by as much as nine metres in half an hour.

The region experienced similar flash flooding in August last year when a glacial lake in Tibet overflowed. Nine people were killed.

(AP)