Kathmandu: At least 165 people have been killed in Nepal and Tibet after devastating flash floods struck the Himalayan border region, while hundreds of people, including foreign tourists, remain missing.
The disaster has also raised concerns in parts of India, with flood alerts issued for districts in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as authorities monitor the situation.
Floodwaters sweep away homes and bridges
The powerful surge of water travelled through villages and towns along the Bhote Kosi and Trishuli rivers, destroying homes, roads, bridges and power plants.
Aerial footage recorded during a rescue mission showed the scale of devastation, with several settlements reduced to muddy remains following the flooding.
The disaster was triggered after a huge mass of mud and debris broke away from the banks of the Lhende River, which flows between China and Nepal. The resulting surge caused widespread destruction downstream.
Officials on both sides of the border have warned of major casualties as rescue and relief operations continue.
Nepali Army leads rescue operations
The Nepali Army has been conducting aerial rescue missions and has rescued scores of people from affected areas. Residents living near rivers in vulnerable zones have also been advised to relocate to safer areas.
Among those still missing are a large number of foreign tourists who were in the Himalayan region when the floods struck.
Risk of another flood remains
Experts have cautioned that a continuing blockage in a river could result in another sudden flood, posing an additional threat to communities downstream.
Authorities are closely monitoring rivers and vulnerable settlements while rescue teams continue their search for missing people and assist those displaced by the disaster.
The extensive destruction has left affected communities facing a difficult recovery, with homes and vital infrastructure severely damaged across the flood-hit region.