Himalayan Floods: Over 1,400 Missing as New Risks Emerge in Nepal and China
Over 1,400 people are missing after deadly floods and landslides hit the border region between Nepal and China. This disaster swept away entire villages in the remote Himalayas. Emergency teams have recovered 392 bodies so far.
A sudden rush of icy water and mud destroyed towns. It buried homes, broke bridges, and swept away cars. Many missing people are foreign tourists. These include trekkers and Hindu pilgrims going to Tibet’s sacred Mount Kailash.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said a glacial collapse caused the disaster. This triggered a huge flow of icy debris. Climate change causes glaciers to melt. This increases the chance of glacial floods and collapses worldwide.
Rescue teams are working quickly to find survivors. But new flood risks are making their efforts difficult. Water is trapped by the large piles of debris blocking the valleys. This water could surge out.
Chinese authorities warned that a lake formed by Wednesday’s mudslide could break. This would send more floods downstream. Nepal’s Flood Forecasting Division also warned about a growing lake. They advised people to be very careful.
Thousands are still missing. One survivor, Kula Priya, waited sadly for news of her missing loved ones. She said she lost her eldest son and all three of her homes. She pleaded for help to find her son.
Nepali police reported finding 389 bodies. Another 910 people, including 517 foreign tourists, cannot be reached in Nepal. Beijing said 100 Chinese citizens are also missing in Nepal. This number is separate from Nepal’s count. The United States said 90 of its citizens are out of contact. In Tibet, Chinese officials said hundreds are missing and three have died.
China evacuated 555 stranded tourists and 499 local residents from Tibet. Authorities sent nearly 800 emergency workers. They used sniffer dogs, speed boats, satellites, and drones for the rescue efforts. Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah visited the affected areas. He asked local leaders to give quick help to families who lost their homes. He also urged them to clear blocked roads.
The sudden rush of mud and debris traveled nearly 170 kilometers south into Nepal. An environmental historian called it an “inland tsunami.” The Dalai Lama, a Buddhist spiritual leader, said he would pray for those who died.
The USGS confirmed a glacial collapse caused the severe impacts in Nepal and Tibet. It was first thought to be an earthquake. But studies showed it was a glacial collapse and a flow of debris. Many missing pilgrims were going to Mount Kailash in China. A Malaysian woman, Logadarrsiny Raman, is very worried. She lost contact with her family of pilgrims just before the floods hit their last known location. She hopes they are safe.
