Nepal-China Border Flash Flood Kills 31

Posted on by Praveen Yadav

Nepal-China border flash flood has killed at least 31 people in Nepal, while hundreds of travelers and workers remain missing after a torrent swept through communities in the Himalayan region.

Nepal-China border flash flood leaves hundreds missing
Floodwaters sweep through communities near Nepal’s border with China as rescue operations continue.

RASUWA, Nepal — A devastating Nepal-China border flash flood swept through northern Nepal and parts of Tibet on Wednesday, killing at least 31 people in Nepal and leaving hundreds missing as rescue teams searched flooded villages, roads and hydropower sites.

Key Highlights

  • At least 31 people were reported killed in Nepal after the flash flood struck communities near the China border.
  • Nepal’s tourism board reported 384 missing travelers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals.
  • China launched search and rescue operations in Tibet after state media warned of “major casualties” in the Gyirong area.

Hundreds Missing After Nepal-China Border Flash Flood

The scale of the disaster became clearer as authorities reported widespread destruction across Rasuwa and Nuwakot. Floodwater and debris swept through settlements, damaging houses, vehicles, roads and hydropower infrastructure.

Nepal’s tourism board said an initial assessment identified 384 travelers reported missing from affected areas. The list included nationals from India, Australia, The Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

Sixty employees at the under-construction 20 MW Langtang Khola Hydroelectric Project in Rasuwa were also reported missing. The workers were carrying out concrete construction inside a tunnel when the flood caused severe damage to the project.

What Caused the Deadly Flash Flood?

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said an earthquake occurred at 8:37 a.m. and triggered a large landslide that blocked the Bhote Koshi River, apparently causing the sudden release of floodwater downstream.

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The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 4.4 earthquake in the region at around the same time. Experts at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said an ice-rock avalanche from a glacier may have blocked the Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi, before releasing a powerful surge.

Experts said the precise role of glacial lake outburst flooding in Wednesday’s disaster was not yet established. The Himalayan region is vulnerable to cascading hazards involving glaciers, avalanches, landslides and sudden river surges.

Rescue Teams Face Difficult Conditions

Nepal’s army and police joined rescue operations, while helicopters were used to evacuate people from rooftops and muddy areas. However, army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said helicopters could not land in Syapru Besi and Timure until floodwaters receded.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah urged people living along rivers to remain alert and said instructions had been issued to move residents in lower-lying areas to safer locations.

The Red Cross also activated emergency response teams, mobilised volunteers and began deploying relief supplies to affected communities.

China Launches Search Effort in Tibet

Across the border, Chinese authorities launched a large-scale response in Tibet’s Gyirong county after a mudslide affected the region. No immediate death toll was provided by Chinese authorities, although state media warned of major casualties.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered intensified search and rescue operations, evacuation of people at risk and attention to possible secondary disasters. China also mobilised emergency personnel, drones, life detectors and other rescue equipment, while disaster-relief supplies were allocated for affected communities.

Foreign Nationals Among Those Reported Missing

Governments began responding to reports involving their citizens. Malaysia said its embassy in Kathmandu received reports that contact had been lost with 11 Malaysians believed to be in Rasuwa.

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India also offered assistance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal’s Prime Minister and said India was prepared to provide humanitarian support, with teams coordinating on rescue and relief efforts.

The latest disaster has again highlighted the risks faced by communities and travelers in Nepal’s steep Himalayan valleys, where rivers and mountain routes can become extremely dangerous during sudden flooding.

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