AT LEAST 98 people have died and hundreds more are missing after catastrophic flash floods struck areas along the Nepal-China border, sweeping away homes, roads, bridges and infrastructure, while authorities warn that the death toll could rise.
At least 95 people have died in Nepal and three in Tibet following a mudslide and suspected ice-rock avalanche on the Lhende Khola River. The disaster also struck the Gyirong Port, a major crossing between Nepal and Tibet, disrupting roads, communications and electricity supplies.
Authorities have reported hundreds of people missing, including foreign nationals. Among those unaccounted for are travellers and workers from India, the United States, Britain, South Korea, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands.
FLASH FLOOD: CCTV footage shows people running away as a powerful wall of flood debris sweeps through a valley at the Nepal-China border in the Gyirong, Tibet region, destroying buildings and carrying vehicles and buses within seconds. SOCIAL MEDIA/via REUTERS
The disaster is suspected to have been triggered by an earthquake that caused part of a glacier or ice-rock formation to collapse into the river, sending a surge of water and debris downstream.
Videos from the affected area showed a wall of debris sweeping through the Nepal-China Rasuwagadhi border crossing, carrying vehicles and buses and causing widespread destruction.
Police and military personnel have been deployed for rescue operations, although officials said helicopters may not be able to land in some affected areas until floodwaters recede.
Residents in low-lying areas are being moved to safer locations, while people living along the river have been warned to remain vigilant.
Authorities have also warned of the possibility of another flood because a blockage remains upstream on the Lhende Khola River.
Flood alerts have been issued in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where rivers flowing from the Himalayas into the plains could also pose a risk.
China has deployed at least 574 rescuers to the affected border crossing, although heavy sediment has hampered rescue efforts. India is coordinating with Nepal on relief operations, while South Korea plans to deploy a rapid-response team comprising government officials, firefighters and police personnel.
The scale of the destruction and number of missing people have raised fears that the eventual death toll could be significantly higher.
Source: Reuters/News From Himalayas
