Nepal is in the middle of a serious flood disaster following flash floods that affected the border areas with China on Wednesday. The flood has resulted in the death of at least 332, while 1,400 are reported missing, of whom 288 are Indians.
Landslides, destruction of roads and bridges have hampered search and rescue operations.
Flash floods wreak havoc in Nepal
The floods affected some areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha districts of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems. Numerous roads and bridges have been damaged or washed away.
The Nepal Tourism Board indicated that an initial list of 644 tourists, including 127 Nepali nationals, have been reported missing from the affected regions. Officials are cross-checking the data with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security services.
According to data from the Nepal Embassy, 476 people from 28 different countries had been reported missing. Officials warned that these figures may change as the search and rescue operation continues.
Nepal's security authorities have also deployed helicopters and ground teams for the immediate evacuation of stranded people. Assistance in the form of food, potable water, medicines, medical support and provisional shelters is also being extended.
What caused the sudden rise in water?
The flash floods occurred following an avalanche that dammed the Lhende tributary of the Bhotekoshi River. The dammed water then entered the stream of the Lhende, impacting the Timure village vicinity of Rasuwagadhi on the Nepalese border with China.
Reports indicated that the water level increased by as much as nine metres in only half an hour. The fast increase converted the river into a strong current, which caused damage to roads, bridges and other structures.
The disaster impacted the Tibet side of the Gyirong border area. Landslides and flooding disrupted road links and compromised communication and power supplies, hampering rescue efforts.
Authorities have also urged residents near rivers to stay vigilant and seek refuge in safe locations if water levels rise again.
India maintains strict surveillance of borders
The floods in Nepal have also set alarm bells ringing in India since many rivers originate in Nepal and flow into various Indian states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, etc.
NDRF Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela stated that there had been no reports of flood-related consequences in border regions in India to date. Still, monitoring of water discharge had begun for districts like Kushinagar and West Champaran, in the sensitive zone.
River levels are being watched closely by state authorities and the Central Water Commission, and local-level arrangements are in place.
India has also expanded aid to Nepal. The Ministry of External Affairs reported that an additional aircraft delivered 37.5 tonnes of food packets, medicines and humanitarian aid to Nepal.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal too has set up helplines for the stranded. Search and rescue teams are operating under very hostile conditions, as rescuers and authorities try to locate the missing and find out the extent of destruction.