The Himalayan region of Nepal has been struck by a major natural disaster, in which at least 22 people have lost their lives, while hundreds more remain unaccounted for. The catastrophe was caused by an ice and rock avalanche that fell into a tributary of the Trishuli River, blocking the watercourse and triggering a sudden release of a vast volume of water.
The Bhotekoshi River surged around 9 am local time, creating a destructive wave that carried mud, rocks, vehicles and fragments of buildings. The floodwave destroyed villages, roads and hydropower facilities, with dozens of buildings buried under large quantities of mud, and some areas completely covered by debris.
Among the dead and missing are a large number of foreign nationals, with 384 tourists reported missing. Of the total number of missing, 291 are foreign nationals, including those from India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia, with more than 100 Indian nationals among the missing.
Nepalese authorities have ordered residents along the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers to immediately move away from the banks due to the risk of further floods. Authorities have also warned of the possibility of additional landslides, while calling for international assistance in the rescue operation.
India has already offered humanitarian and rescue assistance, while Chinese authorities have launched a large-scale search on the Tibetan side of the border to locate remaining missing persons and ensure the safety of border areas.
