At least 160 people are dead and hundreds of people, including 47 from the United States, are missing after a massive flash flood in a border area between Nepal and China Wednesday.
The flood submerged entire villages, burying buildings and vehicles in mud and destroying roads. Nearly 10,000 households are in need of immediate relief, the United Nations said in a release.
Nepal police reported at least 157 dead and CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, said 265 were missing after a mudslide in the Tibet region that killed at least three, according to The Associated Press.
“The news of the loss of lives and property caused by the sudden flood in the Bhote Koshi River flowing through Rasuwa and Nuwakot has left me extremely saddened,” said Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel in a statement on social media.
“In this hour of crisis, I call upon the government, political parties, social organizations, all agencies including security forces, and the general public to intensify rescue and relief efforts.”
The president urged residents and tourists to “remain vigilant” and “actively engage” in necessary cooperation efforts.
Nepal Police posted video of rescue efforts with an invitation to “help one another” and “not believe in rumors.”
In addition to police, the Nepali Army has been deployed to rescue those affected by the flood. Videos shared by the army shows soldiers carrying victims out of flooded areas on their backs and on stretchers. The videos are accompanied by the phrase, “Where there is crisis, there is #NepaliArmy.”
Nepal disaster sparks global response
The United Nations is providing emergency rations to affected areas. The U.N. Resident Coordinator’s office and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are helping secure satellite imagery and analysis for impacted areas.
Staff from the World Health Organization are on site with enough medical supplies to care for 10,000 people for the next three months.
Officials in Nepal said 403 were reported missing, the AP reports, including 341 foreign nationals and 133 people from India who were on a pilgrimage to a sacred site for Hindus in Tibet, Mount Kailash.
Of the missing Americans, at least three were traveling with the agency Fishtail Tours and Travels, according to documents shared by the Nepal Tourism Board. Missing tourists are also reported to be from Australia, the Netherlands, Malaysia, the U.K. and South Africa.
The agency is “working to verify the whereabouts and safety status” of tourists traveling through affected areas.
Sasmit Pokharel, a government spokesperson for Nepal, said the government had requested help from India and China to perform rescue efforts. Representatives from both countries have expressed their support.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the people of India “stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time.”
“India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal,” Modi said on social media. “Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered “all-out efforts to search and rescue people” missing after the mudslide, according to China Military Bugle, the official press account of China’s armed forces.
The president also urged local authorities to “prepare for worst-case scenarios and extreme situations” and ordered resolute action “to prevent major and catastrophic disasters and accidents.”
A joint statement was released by Britain, Australia, Finland, Norway, France, Switzerland and the European Union that encouraged those in affected areas to follow the direction of official safety advisories and local authorities.
How did the floods start?
The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported an earthquake with a 4.4 magnitude, but the organization later said the seismic activity was caused by a landslide.
Experts at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said the flood was likely the result of an avalanche from a glacier, AP reports.
