Deadly flood hits Nepal-Tibet border, hundreds unaccounted for

Deadly flash floods and mudslides struck Nepal near the border with Tibet on Wednesday, leaving at least 19 people dead and hundreds of tourists missing. The torrent of mud and debris burst from a riverbank, inundating homes and prompting an urgent search for survivors.

Chinese state media reported "major casualties" from a mudslide at a Tibet trade hub on China's side of the border. President Xi Jinping ordered an "all-out" rescue effort.

Raju Bhadel, 56, recounted receiving a distressed call from his brother-in-law. "They were crying and said their entire house had been swept away. Three family members were rescued, but his brother is still missing," he said.

Authorities in Nepal reported the death toll had reached at least 19. However, over eight hours after the disaster, 384 tourists remained unaccounted for, including 291 foreigners. The Nepal Tourism Board identified Americans, Indians, an Australian, Malaysians, and Britons among those missing.

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I got a call from (my brother-in-law) this morning, and they were crying and said their entire house had been swept away. Three family members were rescued, but his brother is still missing.

Images from Nepali police depicted floodwaters surging through a river, carrying away houses. AFP images showed the upper floor of a house protruding from muddy soil. A police spokesman stated that authorities were still assessing the damage and had advised riverside residents to relocate.

The Nepal Army deployed helicopters and disaster response teams to the affected region. The Nepal Electricity Authority reported that approximately 430 megawatts of production capacity, encompassing hydropower and solar facilities, had been damaged, leading to electricity supply disruptions.

Sarthak Shrestha, an analyst at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, suggested that a rock-ice avalanche in Nepal likely blocked the Lhende River, triggering the cascading flood event. Preliminary assessments indicated no anomalies on the Chinese side of the border. Several highways were also closed, according to Nepali authorities.

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We believe a rock-ice avalanche occurred in Nepal, blocking the Lhende river and causing the cascading flood event.