Avalanche triggers flash floods in Nepal Himalayas, killing eight and leaving hundreds missing

Massive flash floods in Nepal's Himalayas have killed at least eight people and left hundreds missing, officials reported Wednesday. The disaster struck at about 9 a.m. local time, unleashing a torrent of ice and rock that swept away villages and infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi river.

Authorities confirmed 384 people are unaccounted for, including 291 foreigners from India, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Roads and hydropower projects were destroyed, leading to a loss of approximately 430 megawatts of production capacity from damaged hydropower and solar facilities. The Nepal Electricity Authority is assessing the full extent of the damage.

Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel stated that Nepal has requested rescue assistance from both India and China. The army has deployed helicopters and disaster responders to the affected areas. Rasuwa district was particularly hard-hit, recalling similar floods last August that killed nine people in neighboring Tibet.

Climate experts attribute the disaster to an ice-rock avalanche on the Nepal side that blocked a tributary of the Bhotekoshi river, causing a sudden surge downstream. They highlighted the growing risks in the rapidly warming Himalayas, noting that monsoon rains from June to September regularly cause deadly floods and landslides in South Asia. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events in the region.

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We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts.