The death toll from flash floods in Nepal’s northern border district of Rasua has risen to 95. In addition to the extensive damage caused by the floods, hundreds of people are still missing. Tourists and foreign nationals are also reported to be among the missing.
Flash floods hit Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China on Wednesday morning (August 26), causing widespread damage to settlements and infrastructure along the Bhotkoshi River. Hundreds of people were trapped under mud and floodwaters, authorities said.
The areas around the Bhotkoshi River in Nepal have been the worst affected by the floods, news agency PTI reported, citing officials concerned. Rescue teams are searching for the missing.
Avalanche and earthquake trigger flash floods
According to preliminary analysis by Rijan Bhakta, a professor and climate researcher at Kathmandu University in Nepal, the icefall in the Lende River blocked the river’s normal flow. After the water had frozen, it suddenly descended.
He said that a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet around 9 am on Wednesday, as flash floods were coming down in Nepal. It is believed that the earthquake caused the ice sheet to move and the trapped water to flow down into the Bhotkoshi River.
Rijan Bhakta told Kantipur TV that the issue of avalanches has also been raised in the initial information received from Chinese scientists. However, those concerned said that further investigation is needed to confirm the exact cause of the flood.
Kailash-Manasarovar in Tibet is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The region also holds religious significance for Buddhists and Jains.