Nearly 1,500 missing as rescuers struggle to reach survivors of Nepal-Tibet flash floods

A catastrophic flash flood, triggered by the collapse of a glacial wall of mud and rock into a Himalayan river, has left nearly 1,500 people missing across Nepal and China's Tibet region. Authorities reported on Thursday that the disaster has inundated towns and valleys, with rescue operations facing significant challenges in reaching communities isolated by the surging waters.

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This will go up, as we have resumed the search and more bodies are expected to be recovered.

Rescuers in Nepal are deploying helicopters to search for survivors and deliver emergency supplies to thousands stranded by the disaster. The mountainous region, popular with trekkers and pilgrims, has been devastated. Police anticipate the death toll, already exceeding 165, will rise as more bodies are recovered. "This will go up, as we have resumed the search and more bodies are expected to be recovered," a police spokesperson told Reuters.

Foreign nationals constitute a significant portion of those missing. In Nepal, nearly 600 foreigners are among the 826 people unaccounted for, with tourists from India, the United States, Australia, Britain, and Canada among the nationalities affected. Two Irish nationals on a guided tour are also reported missing. In Tibet's Gyirong county, 558 people are missing, including 260 foreign nationals.

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It was a huge gush of mud coming straight towards us.

Survivors recount harrowing experiences of the "huge gush of mud" that swept through their homes and communities. Keshav Prasad Baral, 68, described being separated from his wife as the mud entered their home. He was rescued by helicopter hours later, but his wife remains missing, presumed lost. Another survivor recounted clinging to a mango tree as his workplace disappeared into the torrent.

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As it got closer, it kept rising higher and higher. When I saw it enter our home, I tried to grab my wife’s hand and take her to the terrace. But she was swept away by the mud.

The scale of the destruction is immense, with verified videos showing water and debris obliterating homes, roads, and power projects. The Nepalese army has mobilized over 5,000 personnel for search and rescue efforts, with emergency supplies being provided by neighboring India. Early reports suggest an earthquake may have triggered the glacial collapse, leading to the devastating floods.

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My wife is still somewhere beneath the mud. She’s gone.