The Nepal flood was caused after an avalanche blocked the flow of the Lhende tributary of the Bhotekoshi and first hit Timure, near Nepal’s border with China at Rasuwagadhi.
Much of the settlement, home to hundreds of people, was swept away before the flood surged downstream. With no rainfall reported in the area, residents had no warning of the disaster and were going about their daily routines when the flood struck.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Nepal counterpart Balendra Shah within minutes of floods and earthquake that left the Himalayan country devastated.
Modi conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. "The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time," the Prime Minister tweeted.
He also stated that:
"India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts."
The Centre is closely monitoring the flash floods in Nepal, with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and several other ministries keeping a constant watch on the situation.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been placed on high alert, with relief and rescue teams kept ready in border areas. A rise in the Trishuli River water level was reported following a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or sudden flooding near the Nepal-China border. The water level also rose in the Phurke Khola area, around 160 km from the Indian border.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India has dispatched 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) supplies and essential medicines to support Nepal's response to devastating floods.
"Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those affected," Jaishankar said in a post on X. He added that India stands with Nepal and its people as the country responds to the disaster.
At least 157 people have been killed and hundreds, including foreign tourists, are missing after deadly flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday.
An avalanche of ice and rock triggered massive flash floods that swept through parts of Nepal, causing widespread damage to villages and infrastructure.
Among the missing are 33 British nationals, with hundreds of foreign nationals still unaccounted for.
“A preliminary agency-wise record received from tourism and travel companies has identified 384 travellers, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali nationals, who were reported missing from the affected areas,” said the Nepal Tourism Board, noting authorities were working to verify the travellers’ whereabouts.
It is claimed that there was no earthquake prior to flash flooding, according to the US Geological Survey.
Despite initial reports of this natural disaster being preceded by an earthquake, further analysis indicates that a landslide preceded the powerful flash flooding and there was no earthquake, the USGS said.
Experts warned of a possible second flood.
“With a blockage still lodged upstream on the Nepal-China border river, authorities warn a second flood may occur,” Qianggong Zhang, head of climate and environmental risks, at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, said in comments reported by Reuters.
Chinese president Xi Jinping urged “all-out” search efforts for the missing, as well as stronger monitoring and early warning systems to prevent secondary disasters. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said authorities had deployed at least 574 rescuers to the Gyirong land crossing.
Nepal’s PM urged the nation to “stand together” after the disaster. Balendra Shah urged the Himalayan nation to stand united in a post on social media: “Please be patient. The government takes full responsibility for your rescue, treatment, food and shelter. In times of such a disaster, we all need to stand together.”
The massive flood entered the Trishuli River through the Bhote Koshi in Timure, a border-town in Rasuwa district, due to the rockslide and swelling of the Lhende River situated along the Nepal-Tibet border, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said.
Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) supplies and essential medicines are loaded for dispatch to Nepal following devastating floods, in New Delhi
India has issued emergency contact numbers for Indian nationals stranded near flood-hit border areas in China's Tibet Autonomous Region following recent flash floods. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in China said stranded nationals can seek assistance from Chinese officials on the ground or Indian diplomatic missions in Beijing and Kathmandu.
Emergency contacts:
Chinese officials: 0086 139 8999 0012
Embassy of India, Beijing: 0086 185 1428 4905 — also available on WhatsApp
Embassy of India, Kathmandu: +977 985 131 6807 / +977 970 910 7500 — both available on WhatsApp
The Embassy in Beijing said it is in close contact with local authorities to assist affected Indian nationals. It urged those in the affected areas to follow official advisories issued by local authorities.
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