The tremors associated with the deadly flash floods in Nepal on Wednesday morning were caused by a powerful landslide involving ice and rock, rather than an earthquake, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) clarified.

The agency said the seismic activity initially reported as an earthquake “was instead a glacial collapse and debris flow” that caused catastrophic impacts downstream.

The USGS had initially reported seismic activity along the Nepal-China border, north of Kathmandu. It later clarified that the event was not an earthquake.

“No earthquake had occurred,” the agency said.

Landslide triggered debris-laden flood

An initial study of satellite imagery from Planet Labs indicated that a landslide involving ice and rock triggered a debris-laden flood in the Lhende River.

The landslide occurred about 20 km northeast of the Nepal-China Rasuwagadhi border crossing.

The Lhende Khola River is a tributary of the Bhote Koshi River, which flows from China into Nepal. The powerful landslide sent debris and water downstream, triggering the flash floods.

The event was later registered as seismic activity equivalent to an earthquake measuring 5.2 in magnitude.

157 bodies recovered in Nepal

Relief and rescue operations are underway in Rasuwa and other affected areas following the floods.

Nepal Police have recovered 157 bodies, while authorities are working to move families living in flood-risk areas to safer locations.

At least 403 tourists, including 341 foreigners, were reported unaccounted for several hours after the disaster, according to the tourism ministry.

The missing foreigners included 142 Indians, along with nationals from Australia, Britain, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea and the United States, according to the tourism board.

Rescue teams are searching for survivors and bodies buried under mud and debris. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has pledged government resources for relief and rescue operations.

Floods hit several districts

The flood surged through the Bhote Koshi River at around 9 am local time after crossing over from the Tibet side.

Rasuwa and Dhading, which border Tibet, along with Nuwakot, were among the affected districts.

In Tibet, China’s state broadcaster reported that three people were killed and 265 were missing in Gyirong. It said the deaths were still being verified and rescue operations were continuing.

Security footage from the Nepal-Tibet border showed people fleeing moments before a torrent of rock, mud and water swept through the area, destroying buildings and vehicles.

Families search for missing relatives

Residents from affected areas of Nuwakot and Dhading gathered outside a Nepali Army training centre that was being used as a base for helicopter rescue operations.

People sought information about relatives who remained missing after the floods. Police were recording the names of missing people outside the barracks as the area remained without electricity because of damage to hydropower infrastructure.

Across the affected areas, houses, trees and vehicles were submerged or buried beneath mud and debris.

Helicopters continued rescue operations, bringing survivors out of the flood-hit areas.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Manipur in the first week of October, with the proposed visit coming amid an intensified political and civil-society campaign for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census and delimitation exercises.

According to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Shah will lay the foundation stone for a medical college in Senapati district and oversee other development projects during his visit.

The proposed visit was discussed during Shah’s meeting with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in Delhi on Wednesday. The Chief Minister’s Secretariat said the Home Minister also assured that the Centre would fulfil the wishes of the people of Manipur.

Shah’s first Manipur visit since April 2024

The October visit will be Shah’s first trip to Manipur since April 15, 2024, when he addressed an election rally in Imphal.

His previous extended visit came from May 29 to June 1, 2023, shortly after ethnic violence broke out in the state. During that four-day visit, Shah met representatives of different communities, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

At least 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since May 2023 due to ethnic violence in Manipur’s hill districts.

Following continued clashes and the resignation of then Chief Minister N Biren Singh, President’s Rule was imposed in the state on February 13, 2025. It was lifted on February 4, nearly a year later, after which Yumnam Khemchand Singh became Chief Minister.

Medical college planned in Senapati

The Manipur cabinet recently decided to establish a medical college in Senapati district, which is predominantly inhabited by the Naga community.

The proposed Senapati Medical College is expected to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the hill district while expanding access to medical education and creating employment opportunities.

During his proposed October visit, Shah is expected to lay the foundation stone for the project.

NRC-before-Census demand gains momentum

Shah’s proposed visit comes as the demand for updating the NRC before the Census and delimitation exercises gains political momentum in Manipur.

Those supporting the demand argue that identification of genuine Indian citizens should take place before the Census and subsequent delimitation process.

The issue has also reached New Delhi, with a group of Manipur legislators travelling to the national capital to raise the demand with Central leaders. The legislators have been meeting Union ministers and seeking the Centre’s intervention.

Separately, a delegation representing 14 civil society organisations from Manipur is also in Delhi for discussions with Union ministers and Central officials.

Led by 14-CSO Convenor Shanta Nahakpam, the delegation represents different sections and communities of the state and has been seeking citizenship identification before the Census and delimitation exercises.

The parallel efforts by legislators and civil society groups underline the political significance of the NRC issue in Manipur.

At the same time, the sequencing of the NRC, Census and delimitation remains a sensitive matter, with differing views among communities in the state. Any citizenship-identification exercise would therefore involve questions around legality, transparency and representation.

Focus on road connectivity and return to normalcy

The proposed visit also comes as the state government highlights improvements in road connectivity as signs of a gradual return to normalcy.

The Chief Minister’s Secretariat said Shah praised the state government for restoring bus services and ensuring free movement along National Highway-2.

Improved road transport is particularly significant for residents who have faced disrupted movement and higher travel costs, as affordable bus services provide an alternative to air travel.

October visit carries wider significance

Shah’s proposed return to Manipur comes at a time when the state is attempting to move from prolonged disruption towards greater stability.

While the Centre and state government are highlighting development work and improved connectivity, the NRC-before-Census demand has emerged as a major political and civil-society issue.

The October visit could therefore provide an opportunity for direct engagement with concerns being raised by the state’s elected representatives and civil society groups.

For Manipur, the larger challenge remains restoring confidence and ensuring that development, political dialogue and engagement with different communities move together.

At least 46 people have died after a massive flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River swept through parts of the country’s northern districts.

The flooding affected Nuwakot and Dhading districts, with floodwaters coming from the Tibetan side of the border. Several villages were reportedly washed away, while roads and other infrastructure suffered extensive damage.

At least 105 Indians are among 384 travellers reported missing from the affected area. The missing travellers include people who were travelling towards Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet with different travel agencies.

384 travellers reported missing

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers are missing, including 291 foreigners and 93 Nepali nationals.

Of the foreign nationals reported missing, 105 are Indians. The travellers were on their way to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra when the flash flood struck.

The disaster has also affected security personnel. At least 26 Nepal Police personnel remain missing in Rasuwa district, while the Armed Police Force has reported seven missing personnel.

The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster response personnel to the affected areas. Authorities are also collecting information about the damage caused by the floods.

Six hydropower facilities damaged

The floods have also damaged major power infrastructure in Nepal.

The Nepal Electricity Authority said six of its major hydropower and transmission facilities were damaged. These include Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, Trishuli 3A, Trishuli 3B Hub 220 kV Substation, Trishuli Hydropower Station and Devighat Hydropower Station.

The authority said the damage to production, transmission and distribution facilities has disrupted electricity supplies.

Several highways in Nepal have also been closed following the flooding.

Nepal PM convenes emergency meeting

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has convened an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to review the situation.

Mr Shah said work had begun to take necessary measures in coordination with medical teams, scouts and the Red Cross.

Videos shared by Nepal Police and others showed torrents of muddy water moving through mountain valleys in areas bordering Tibet.

Authorities have warned people living close to rivers to move to safer locations as rescue and assessment operations continue.

Monsoon rains between June and September regularly cause floods and landslides across South Asia. Scientists have also linked climate change to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region.