Massive flash floods struck a border region between Nepal and Tibet, resulting in over 160 fatalities and leaving numerous individuals missing, including 24 Canadians. The catastrophe occurred when the Bhotekoshi River overflowed, devastating villages, roads, and hydropower installations. Nepali authorities issued warnings to residents in various districts to steer clear of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli, and Narayani riverbanks.
A total of 162 fatalities were reported in Nepal, with China’s state broadcaster confirming at least three deaths and over 558 missing persons in Tibet’s Gyirong county. Among the missing were 260 foreign nationals, as per CCTV reports. Efforts for rescue and assistance were sought from India and China by Sasmit Pokharel, a spokesperson for the Nepali government.
The Nepal Tourism Board revealed that 403 individuals, including 341 foreigners and 24 Canadians, were unaccounted for. Nepal’s ambassador to Canada verified the status of the missing Canadians. Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed solidarity with those affected, urging Canadians to register with the ROCA system promptly for assistance.
Global Affairs Canada acknowledged the impact on Canadians and assured the availability of consular support, despite potential communication challenges due to power outages. Security footage displayed individuals fleeing before the devastation, with many missing persons identified, including pilgrims en route to Mount Kailash in Tibet.
United Nations teams and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged support for the search and rescue operations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered humanitarian aid to Nepal. The affected regions had previously faced similar flash floods, attributed to glacial incidents. Experts linked the recent flood to glacier-related events, stressing the region’s heightened vulnerability to climate change-induced disasters.