Nepal is facing a major humanitarian crisis after a devastating flash flood struck several areas of the country earlier this week. According to Nepal Police, the death toll has risen to 469, while hundreds of people remain missing.
The flooding caused sudden and powerful water flows in several areas, particularly around the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli corridor. Many people were reportedly swept away
by the strong currents, while others became trapped in affected locations.
Rescue teams are continuing their search for missing people. However, damaged roads, difficult terrain and disrupted connectivity have made rescue operations challenging in several parts of the affected region.
The disaster has also affected areas across the border in Tibet. Chinese authorities have reported three deaths in the Tibetan region. Including those fatalities, the total number of deaths linked to the disaster in Nepal and the affected Tibetan region has reached 472.
910 People Still Missing
According to the latest disaster-management figures, around 910 people in Nepal are either missing or remain out of contact
. The missing include local residents as well as tourists, pilgrims and workers associated with infrastructure and hydropower projects.
The situation has also raised concerns in India because a significant number of Indian nationals are among those who cannot currently be contacted.
Indian authorities have estimated that 288 Indian citizens in Nepal remain out of contact. However, Nepal has not yet released a separate nationality-wise list of those who died in the disaster. As a result, it is not currently clear how many Indian nationals may be among the confirmed fatalities.
Of the 288 Indians reported to be out of contact, 73 are employees working at the Trishuli-1 hydropower project.
Tourists and Pilgrims Also Affected
A number of tourists and pilgrims travelling to or returning from the Kailash region in Tibet have also been affected by the disaster. Many of them are Indian nationals from different parts of the country.
Authorities have reported that 21 tourists from Tamil Nadu were rescued and were being brought to Kathmandu. Around 200 other Indian citizens stranded in the Tibetan region have also sought assistance from Indian authorities.
The number of missing Indian nationals differs across various lists because different agencies are recording different categories of people. Some lists focus primarily on tourists and pilgrims, while the broader Indian estimate also includes workers and other Indian citizens who were present in the affected areas.
Rescue Operations Intensified
The Nepalese government has intensified rescue and relief operations in the affected areas. Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah said that 573 people were rescued through 69 air operations in a single day.
Army helicopters and additional helicopters operated by private companies have also been kept on standby to support rescue operations.
Rescue teams are working to locate missing people and evacuate those trapped in remote and inaccessible areas. In locations where roads and bridges have been damaged, air operations have become particularly important for reaching stranded communities.
A Major Challenge for Nepal
The scale of the disaster has created major challenges for Nepal's authorities.
The sudden rise in water levels caused extensive damage in several areas, affecting homes, roads and local infrastructure.
The immediate priority remains locating missing people, evacuating stranded residents and providing food, medical assistance and other essential supplies to affected communities.
Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations while efforts are also underway to establish contact with people whose whereabouts remain unknown. India is separately working to gather information about its citizens affected by the disaster and assist those who require evacuation.
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