'I thought it was an earthquake.' Devastating floodwaters obliterate everything in their path: Over 160 dead in Nepal

A catastrophic flood triggered by a massive avalanche in Tibet has devastated communities in Nepal, killing at least 162 people and leaving hundreds missing. The disaster unfolded Wednesday morning when the avalanche blocked the Lhende River in Tibet, causing water to build up before unleashing a colossal wave downstream on the Bhotekoshi River.

The torrent surged through villages near the Nepal-China border, with the town of Timure being one of the first hit. Eyewitnesses described the terrifying experience, with one official at the Rasuwa customs office reporting, "I felt like it was an earthquake... When I went outside, there was a huge roar. Before we could realize what was happening, we saw the flood coming from above, like a volcanic eruption."

Over 300 vehicles, including cars and trucks, were swept away at the border checkpoint. The floodwaters continued their destructive path, obliterating homes, buildings, livestock, and vital infrastructure. Nine hydroelectric projects and nine bank branches were destroyed, along with 19 bridges and approximately 40 kilometers of roads. The material damage is immense, and authorities fear the death toll will climb.

Compounding the tragedy are serious concerns about the effectiveness of disaster warning systems. Nepalese authorities claim they did not receive timely information about the avalanche from China. Furthermore, automated monitoring stations upstream on the Bhotekoshi River were destroyed by the flood before they could transmit any alerts. Although an initial warning was issued minutes before the flood reached some areas, it was too late for many in the affected districts.

“

I felt like it was an earthquake... When I went outside, there was a huge roar. Before we could realize what was happening, we saw the flood coming from above, like a volcanic eruption.