Catastrophic Flash Floods Hit Nepal-Tibet Border, Over 100 Dead and Thousands Missing

Disaster Struck Without Any Warning

A catastrophic flash flood was triggered by a high-altitude glacial collapse and it tore through the Nepal- Tibet border on August 26 leaving a kind of trail nobody had seen before. As of Thursday morning, officials have confirmed that at least 177 people have been killed, while more than 800 are still listed as missing. The fierce flow from the Lhende Khola, Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers wiped off anything and everything it touched. Even villages were not spared, they were swallowed. Multi-storey concrete buildings and infrastructure were all gone in a few minutes.

Tsunami-like Impact Experienced

According to initial reports it is believed that a 4.4 magnitude earthquake caused the disaster. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that seismic energy triggered a glacial collapse which resulted in debris flow. To make matters worse, the massive ice-rock avalanche discharged immense volumes of water and sediment creating a tsunami-like impact. The intensity at which the waters made their way into Nepal’s deep gorges and in-lands left people with literally no time to relocate to safer zones. 

Damage Beyond Control 

Life in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts has come to a standstill. Infrastructure is destroyed in the valley. As many as 19 motorable bridges and crucial roadways, including the 42-kilometer route connecting Betrawati to the Rasuwagadhi border crossing are gone. Also, heavily damaged are the 111-MW Rasuwagadhi and 60-MW Upper Trishuli 3A hydropower projects, among a dozen others. 

Death Toll Mounting

The death toll is mounting every passing hour. Among the over 800 reported dead, more than 500 are foreign nationals, including 300 Indians. It has been reported that among the dead and missing tourists are those who were on their pilgrimage journey to the sacred Hindu pilgrimage site of Kailash Mansarovar. A section of devotees were left stranded as mudslides snapped communication lines, leaving the Gyirong Port crossing between Nepal and Tibet crippled. 

Rescue Operations in Full Swing

As of this writing, rescue operations are in full swing but are not free of challenges. The geographical nature of the terrain and thick flood sediment is hampering relief efforts. Meanwhile, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah, in his address to the nation said that the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and local police are armed with equipment. More than a dozen helicopters, besides drones and sniffer dogs have been pressed into action to identify and rescue survivors who are being admitted to hospitals in Kathmandu.

International Aid Pours From Various Quarters

The International community stands in solidarity with the Himalayan country. Expressing solidarity, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have condoled the dead. As a first instalment, India dispatched 10 tonnes of emergency aid and essential medicines. The United States of America has announced $500,000 in emergency assistance. Rescue efforts on the Tibetan side of the Chinese border are on-going. On ground zero humanitarian organization teams are distributing first-aid and survival kits.

India on High Alert

Across the international borders of the mountain country, back home in India, an emergency alert is sounded in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Floodwaters are making their way through the Narayani River, known as the Gandak in India, residents in the vulnerable areas are being evacuated to safety. 

A Word of Caution

Search and rescue operations show no signs of slowing down. Experts echo the sentiments that this devastating event brings to the spotlight how vulnerable the Himalayan region is to unpredictable geographic shifts.