Four South African nationals are among hundreds of tourists and travelers reported missing following a devastating flash flood that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, rescue operations are heavily constrained by damaged infrastructure, high water levels, and treacherous mountainous terrain.
The disaster unfolded in Nepal’s mountainous Rasuwa district, a popular route for travelers moving between Nepal and Tibet. According to local reporting and state news agencies, a massive wall of mud and rock collapsed into the Lhende Khola river, sending a destructive surge of water through the valley.
Casualties and Missing Travelers
Authorities have confirmed that the death toll has climbed following the torrential floods in the Himalayan region. At least 95 people have died, while Nepal’s Tourism Board reports that more than 403 travelers remain unaccounted for.
The missing foreign nationals include citizens from multiple countries. 291 of the missing travelers are foreign nationals, including 105 to 142 Indian citizens depending on the specific update from local travel agencies, alongside 11 to 17 Malaysian nationals reported missing by their respective foreign ministries and travel operators.
Investigating the Cause of the Flood
The exact trigger for the disaster remains under investigation by regional authorities. Preliminary information indicates an earthquake may have triggered an ice-rock avalanche or mudslide that crashed into the Lhende Khola river.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) recorded a magnitude 4.4 earthquake approximately seven minutes before security footage captured people fleeing the border area. Addressing the country’s parliament, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal stated that preliminary reports suggested an earthquake in the area could have triggered an avalanche, according to local media reports. However, officials have not yet issued definitive confirmation linking the seismic activity directly to the flood wave.
Cross-Border Impact in Tibet
The destructive water and debris flow impacted both the Nepalese side of the border and neighboring China. According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, a mudslide struck the Gyirong port in Tibet’s Shigatse region. The disaster severed local roads, communications, and electricity infrastructure, prompting regional officials to warn of major casualties in Gyirong County.
Footage shared by police and rescue teams showed floodwaters sweeping away a bridge and destroying multi-story buildings within minutes. Nepal’s armed forces and paramilitary units have deployed helicopters and ground teams to search the affected zones, though high water levels have prevented aircraft from landing in the most severely impacted areas.
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