Flash flood in Nepal sweeps away villages, up to 1,400 missing

A devastating flash flood has ravaged communities along the Trishuli River in Nepal, near the Chinese border, sweeping away entire villages and leaving up to 1,400 people missing. The torrent of water, ice, and debris moved with such speed and force that escape was often impossible for residents.

Rajendra Dhungana, head of customs at the Timure border crossing, described the terrifying sight of a 100-meter high wall of water descending the valley. "The market was gone in moments," he told the Kathmandu Post, adding that around 300 trucks and other vehicles at the crossing were also washed away. The destruction has left a trail of ruined homes, buried streets, and destroyed bridges, with authorities reporting at least 19 bridges and 40 kilometers of road washed away.

The Trishuli River, known as Bhotekoshi in its upper reaches, flows from the Tibetan plateau through Nepal into India. The flash flood originated from the Lhende River, which merges with the Trishuli at the border crossing. The "Friendship Bridge," a vital trade link between Nepal and China, was previously destroyed by a flood a year ago and its loss has been compounded by this latest disaster.

Rescue efforts are severely hampered, with many areas remaining inaccessible. Hundreds of pilgrims, mountaineers, and tourists, including many foreigners, were in the affected region. Nepalese authorities reported 823 people missing, including 579 tourists, with nearly 300 Indian nationals among them. The scale of the disaster and the ongoing search for survivors highlight the immense challenge faced by rescue teams in the remote Himalayan terrain.