Nepal floods: Nearly 900 missing, 157 dead as landslides trigger disaster

Nepal is facing a significant humanitarian crisis after devastating floods and landslides swept through the country. Official figures indicate that approximately 900 people are currently missing, and tragically, 157 lives have been confirmed lost. The scale of the disaster is immense, with entire villages washed away.

Authorities report that the floods were triggered by landslides that blocked several rivers. This created massive reservoirs that eventually breached, unleashing torrents of water that destroyed homes, roads, bridges, and critical energy infrastructure. The devastation has left many communities isolated and in urgent need of assistance.

The missing include a diverse group of individuals, with reports of 46 Ukrainian tourists losing contact early on, a number that later rose to 53. At least four Russian citizens are also unaccounted for. Nepalese authorities are also searching for 85 military and police personnel, along with 60 employees from hydroelectric projects. In the Tibet Autonomous Region's Gyirong County, officials reported 265 people missing.

Citizens from numerous countries are among the missing, including a significant number from India, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Malaysia. Nepal's tourism board confirmed that nationals from over 25 countries, including Germany, France, Russia, Spain, and Ireland, are affected. The disaster underscores the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events and the complex challenges of rescue and recovery operations.