More Than 100 Indians Among Those Missing in Nepal Flash Floods

At least 17 people have been killed and hundreds remain missing after devastating flash floods and landslides struck areas along the Nepal–Tibet border. Several villages have been inundated, while roads and critical infrastructure have been damaged. The report was published by the BBC.

The flooding hit the Rasuwa area, north of Kathmandu, early Wednesday (August 26). The sudden rise in the Bhote Koshi River is believed to have been caused by rapid snowmelt.

According to India's NDTV, at least 105 Indian nationals are among those reported missing. Flash floods from the Bhote Koshi River have inundated parts of Nepal's Nuwakot and Dhading districts.

Nepali media reported that floodwaters came down from the Tibetan side of the border, causing extensive destruction and sweeping away several villages.

Citing Nepal Police spokesperson Deputy Inspector General Abinarayan Kafle, Nepal News reported that the bodies of at least eight people have so far been recovered from Nuwakot and Dhading.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, at least 384 tourists and travellers are missing from the affected areas. Of them, 291 are foreign nationals and 93 are Nepali citizens. Officials said 105 of the missing foreign nationals are Indian citizens.

At least 26 Nepal Police personnel remain missing in Rasuwa, while the Armed Police Force has reported seven missing personnel.

The Nepal Army has deployed helicopters and disaster-response teams to the affected areas. It said efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage.

NDTV reported that the floods also caused major damage to roads and electricity infrastructure in northern Nepal. Authorities have begun assessing the damage.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said at least six major hydropower and power-transmission facilities were damaged, including:

• Rasuwa Gadhi
• Chilime
• Trishuli-3A
• Trishuli-3B Hub 220 kV Substation
• Trishuli Hydropower Plant
• Devighat Hydropower Plant

The NEA said the disaster had disrupted power generation, transmission and distribution, resulting in interruptions to electricity supplies.

Several major highways in Nepal have also been closed because of the flooding and landslides.