Kathmandu: At least 19 people have been confirmed dead, and several others, including 105 Indians, remain missing as a flash flood and 37 non-resident Indians (NRIs) are among 384 tourists and travellers preliminarily reported missing after a massive flash flood swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district near Tibet border
on Wednesday, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
The sudden flooding struck the Bhote Koshi river in the Rasuwagadhi-Timure area at around 8:30 am. local time, causing widespread destruction in Rasuwa and neighbouring parts of Nuwakot and Dhading districts. Eight people had been confirmed dead earlier (map credit-researchgate.com).
The powerful surge washed away vehicles, goods, bridges and other infrastructure, while several hydropower projects were also damaged. Settlements in the affected areas suffered extensive destruction, with rescue and relief operations underway.
According to a preliminary list compiled by the Nepal Tourism Board, 384 travellers have been reported missing, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals.
Of the foreign nationals identified so far, 105 are from India. The list also includes travellers from Australia, the Netherlands, the United States, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and South Africa. The nationalities of several others have yet to be confirmed.
The NTB said the figures are preliminary and are being verified in coordination with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies. Officials have urged families and travellers not to draw conclusions until the verification process is complete.
The 105 Indian nationals identified so far include 59 travelling through Samrat Tours & Travels and 46 through Leaf Holiday. The 37 NRIs have been listed separately under Himalayan Glacier.
The prelimi
nary agency-wise records show 92 travellers associated with Trekkers Society, 71 with Samrat Tours & Travels, 55 with Leaf Holiday, 52 with Himalayan Glacier and 31 with Kailash Journey, among others.
Fishtail Tours & Travels reported 20 foreign travellers, including three US nationals and 17 Malaysians. Himalayan Glacier reported 37 foreign travellers, while Alpine Eco Trek reported 16, including 12 from the UK and four from South Africa.
The Tourism Board, Tourist Police and other tourism stakeholders are continuing efforts to establish the whereabouts and safety of people who were in or travelling through the affected region when the flood struck.
Officials cautioned that the number of missing Indian nationals could change as travel agencies and authorities cross-check their records.
Meanwhile, the Indian mission in Nepal has also shared emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals affected by the disaster.
For assistance and information related to Indian nationals affected by the flash floods, people can contact: +977 985 131 6807 and +977 970 910 7500
Rescue teams and security personnel have been mobilised as authorities assess the extent of the destruction and continue searching for those missing.
The flood has also severely disrupted transportation through the border region, which is used by tourists and travellers heading towards Tibet, including those travelling onward to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.
With communications and key routes disrupted in several areas, authorities are racing to reach isolated communities and determine the full scale of the disaster.
