A catastrophic snow and rock avalanche early Wednesday local time unleashed a violent flash flood along the Bhotekoshi River in Nepal's Himalayan region, sweeping away villages and critical infrastructure. Officials said at least 8 people have died and hundreds remain unaccounted for.
According to local authorities, 384 tourists — including 291 foreigners from India, Malaysia, the UK, and the US — have lost contact since the disaster struck at around 9 a.m. Wednesday (03:15 GMT).
Roads and hydropower installations in the area have been severely damaged. Emergency warnings have been issued, urging residents in several districts to stay away from the banks of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli, and Narayani rivers for safety.
Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel stated: "We have requested both India and China to assist in rescue operations."
Rasuwa district has been identified as the worst affected area. The disaster echoes a flash flood from August last year, when a glacial lake burst in China's Tibet Autonomous Region, killing 9 people and destroying a key cross-border bridge.
Climate experts at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) confirmed the disaster was caused by a snow and rock avalanche on the Nepalese slope that blocked the Lhende Khola river, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi, before releasing a sudden surge of water downstream. The incident has raised concerns about escalating risks in the Himalayas due to climate change and rapid regional warming.
