At least 17 killed as flash flood sweeps part of Nepal-Tibet border

What the report says

At least 18 people have been killed and nearly 400 others are missing after a flash flood and mudslide struck the Nepal-Tibet border area of Rasuwa, north of Kathmandu, BBC World News reported. The flooding hit early Wednesday and is believed by Nepalese officials to have been triggered by an earthquake and avalanche, with melted snow surging into the Bhote Koshi river. The disaster has reportedly washed away villages, damaged roads and cut communications and power.

Search and rescue operations are under way on both sides of the border. The Nepalese army said 88 people had been rescued, while officials were also trying to account for 291 tourists and 93 Nepalese nationals, including guides, who were thought to be in the affected area. Among those believed to be present were visitors from the UK, the US, Malaysia, South Africa and India. Authorities have also said the main road to Kathmandu is closed.

Verified video cited by BBC Verify showed a bridge being swept away and buildings collapsing in the Trishuli Bazaar area northwest of Kathmandu, underscoring the force of the flooding. The Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs warned of likely heavy losses in nearby settlements, and damage was also reported at the Trishuli hydropower project. Chinese state media said there were casualties on the Tibetan side as well, though the full extent there remains unclear.

The incident follows deadly flooding in the same district last year, when a glacier burst on the Chinese side of the border killed 18 people, providing context for the vulnerability of the region to sudden flood events.