The death toll from the catastrophic Himalayan flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen to 359, with security forces and disaster response personnel recovering bodies across eight affected districts. Rescuers continue working through massive piles of mud, rock, and river debris to locate over 1,000 people who remain unaccounted for.
The floodwaters, triggered by a massive wall of ice and earth collapsing into a mountain river, swept downstream through central Nepal, obliterating towns, washing out road networks, and damaging hydropower projects. The surge affected major river systems including the Trishuli and Narayani.
Authorities confirmed that foreign tourists from over two dozen countries are among those missing, with 288 Indian nationals reported out of contact.
Nepal Police Spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle stated that official rescue numbers were updated to 359 following extensive search operations conducted through Thursday afternoon.
Nepal’s Home Minister Sudhan Gurung asserted that the primary objective for emergency crews remains locating survivors despite severe logistical obstacles.
“Rescuers searched debris-strewn valleys and hillsides today as more than 1,000 people remained missing in Nepal and neighbouring China after a wall of ice, mud and rock collapsed into a mountain river,” stated Nepal’s Home Ministry in a disaster update, adding that military helicopters are dropping aid and evacuation equipment into remote regions.
