Hundreds missing after devastating floods and landslides hit Nepal-Tibet border

International

A WALL of mud, rock and water has torn through communities along the Nepal-Tibet border, killing scores of people and leaving hundreds missing as rescuers race to reach areas cut off by the disaster.

Landslides and flash floods have swept through northern Nepal, destroying roads, buildings and vehicles and causing severe flooding along major rivers.

Chinese state media has reported significant casualties on the Tibetan side, while Nepalese officials have warned of a “huge scale loss” as they assess the devastation.

The cause of the landslide remains unclear.

Nepal’s foreign minister initially said an earthquake had been reported along the Tibet-Nepal border shortly before the disaster, raising the possibility that seismic activity triggered the collapse. But the latest analysis by the United States Geological Survey indicates there was no earthquake.

Scientists are investigating whether heavy rainfall or melting ice may have destabilised the ground or ice and triggered a chain reaction. While climate change is contributing to faster glacier melt across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, researchers say it is too early to determine whether it played a role in this specific event.

Satellite imagery, rainfall data and other evidence are being examined to establish the sequence of events, including whether a glacial lake suddenly drained or debris blocked a river.

The border area is about 40 miles (64.4km) north of Kathmandu and includes destinations popular with mountaineers, trekkers and pilgrims.

Footage showed torrents of mud and water sweeping away infrastructure as people fled. One video showed a wall of water and mud racing through a gorge along the Trishuli River before engulfing the multi-storey Rasuvagadhi Border check point. Severe flooding has also been reported along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers.

Nepal police say 157 bodies have been recovered, while China has reported at least three deaths. Nepal’s tourism board says 403 people are believed to be missing, including 341 foreign nationals, many from India. Nationals from 26 countries are thought to have been caught up in the disaster.

The missing include 142 Indians, 53 Ukrainians, 17 Malaysians, 33 Britons, 24 Canadians and 54 US tourists, according to figures from Nepalese and foreign authorities.

Smaller numbers of travellers from South Korea, South Africa, Portugal, Australia and the Netherlands are also reported missing.

According to a BBC report, Nepal’s prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli said “the entire nation has been left shocked and deeply distressed” and said officials would coordinate with China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered an intensive search

effort and called for stronger monitoring and early-warning systems.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered humanitarian assistance, while UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain would do “everything we can” to support its nationals.(MyTVCebu)