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.