Israeli among hundreds still missing in Nepal after catastrophic flood, death toll nears 300

A catastrophic flash flood in Nepal, triggered by a massive wall of mud and rock collapsing into a Himalayan river, has left at least one Israeli tourist missing. Tourism officials confirmed the disappearance, with ZAKA officially investigating the matter. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has issued a warning advising citizens against travel to the affected area due to the ongoing natural disaster.

In total, nearly 1,500 people are missing across Nepal and China's Tibet region, including tourists and locals. Among the missing are at least 800 foreigners from 33 countries. Neighboring India has reported a significant number of its nationals missing, with figures indicating 288 Indians are unaccounted for, while another 200 remain stranded in China. Nepal police have recovered 270 bodies following the torrential flood.

Scientists are continuing to analyze the exact cause of the disaster, which likely began with a massive ice-rock avalanche on the northern slopes of Nepal's Langtang Lirung peak. This avalanche reportedly fell into the Lhende Khola river on the Tibetan side. The event underscores the growing risks in high-mountain regions.

Experts point to climate change as a significant factor exacerbating the danger. They explain that climate change creates conditions that destabilize high-mountain rock and ice, thereby increasing the frequency and severity of collapses and cascading hazards like the one witnessed this week. This phenomenon makes devastating floods more probable in areas like the border region between Nepal and China's Tibet.

“

Climate change is generating conditions that can destabilize high-mountain rock and ice.