International Politics
Till now, 17 people have been found dead after a powerful flash flood and mudslide that struck the Nepal-Tibet border, which led to the sweeping away of multiple villages, thereby damaging roads and infrastructure, according to police officials.
This disaster occurred in the early hours of Wednesday in Rasuwa, located north of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. Officials believe that the flooding may have been triggered by rapid snowmelt feeding the Bhote Koshi River. Meanwhile, Search operations are being conducted by the rescue teams on both sides of the Nepal-Tibet border, with 12 people rescued so far.
Nepal flood news: Operation and Widespread Disruptions
Chinese state media reported significant casualties in the affected areas, while Nepalese officials warned of a potentially “huge-scale loss.” According to the Nepal police spokesperson Abhi Narayan Kaphle, the security agencies were working together in the ongoing rescue operations.
Videos circulating on social media from different regions showed powerful floodwaters rushing through villages. Several downstream areas along the Bhote Koshi River, which flows from Tibet into Nepal, have been issued high alert.
Roads, communication and electricity supplies have been disrupted by the floods, while authorities have also closed the main roads that connect this region to Kathmandu.
Nepal-Tibet border flood: Tibet Damage Unclear as Nepal Steps Up Emergency Response
The overall scale of disruption on the Tibetan side remains unknown. Guan Daoxuan in Sichuan province spoke with the BBC, which said he lost contact with his wife late Wednesday morning. His wife works for a state-owned construction company responsible for building roads and bridges in Tibet. Guan also stated that Nepalese officials attempted to send a helicopter to assess the affected area, but roads became inaccessible, and strong winds prevented the aircraft from reaching the site.
Nepal's disaster management authorities urged the residents living near riverbanks in multiple regions to stay alert and take necessary precautions. Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated in a social media post that emergency measures had begun, in coordination with medical teams, scouts, and the Red Cross, following the emergency meeting to assess the situation.
Nepal flood rescue
According to the officials, 13 armed police personnel were missing from two posts located in Rasuwa district, while contact has also been lost with dozens of other police officers. Rasuwa was also hit by deadly flooding last year, when a glacier burst on the Chinese side of the border, which killed 18 people.
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