rki.news | Sources Anadolu
Doha, August 27: Search and rescue operations backed by helicopters and drones continued Thursday as devastating flash floods along the Nepal-China border killed at least 362 people, with more than 1,300 missing and communications severely disrupted.
Nepalese police confirmed 359 deaths and 826 missing people, including tourists, foreign nationals, officials, soldiers, police and residents. Nepal Tourism Board said more than 650 foreign and local tourists were missing on Nepal’s side.
India said 288 of its nationals remained uncontactable, including 73 workers at the Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project. China confirmed three deaths and 558 people missing in Tibet, including 100 Chinese nationals on the Nepalese side. Missing foreigners also include citizens of the United States, Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia, Britain and Canada.
Nepal declared Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading disaster crisis areas for three months. Authorities deployed army personnel, helicopters and drones, while rescue teams worked to locate stranded residents. Officials advised people trapped in isolated areas to use smoke signals to indicate their locations.
The floods reportedly destroyed 19 bridges and damaged a 40-kilometer stretch of a key highway, further complicating rescue operations.
Satellite imagery indicated the disaster may have been triggered by a large ice collapse from a Himalayan glacier, sending ice and rocks into the Bhotekoshi River.
India, China and the World Bank are coordinating assistance for rescue, relief and reconstruction, while India has sent additional humanitarian supplies, medicines and food to Nepal in badly affected areas.