Guwahati: At least 160 people have died, and nearly 500 remain missing after a massive flash flood originating in Tibet swept through parts of central Nepal on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction across several districts.
Nepal Police reported at least 157 deaths, while China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported three more deaths and 265 people missing in Tibet’s Gyirong County, close to the Nepal border.
The disaster caused extensive damage in towns and villages, swept away bridges, and affected at least a dozen hydropower projects.
The latest flooding has also revived concerns over the vulnerability of communities along the Bhote Koshi River. The area was hit by two major floods last year, with the Bhotekoshi disaster in Rasuwa claiming at least 10 lives.
Rasuwa and Dhading, both bordering Tibet, were among the first areas affected. Rasuwa, located around 125 km northeast of Kathmandu, suffered significant damage as floodwaters swept through settlements and infrastructure.
The floodwaters later moved into Nuwakot and Chitawan districts, adding to the scale of the disaster.
Rescue and recovery operations remain underway as authorities continue searching for missing people and assessing the damage caused by the sudden flooding.