On the border between Nepal and Tibet, sudden floods and landslides have, according to the latest figures, killed at least 165 people, whilst more than 1,300 are reported missing, local authorities have said.
The police have stated that they expect the death toll to rise. “This figure will rise as we have resumed the search, and more bodies are expected to be found,” police spokesman Abi Narayan Kafle told Reuters.
Almost 800 of those who have not been in contact are foreign nationals. Among those missing are tourists from more than two dozen countries, including India, the US, Australia, the UK and Canada.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported yesterday that 53 Ukrainians were missing in the flood-hit area of Nepal. The Ministry added that the Ukrainian embassies in India and China are in contact with the relevant authorities in those countries regarding search operations that may help locate the Ukrainian citizens.
A sudden major flood struck the border regions of Nepal and the Chinese region of Tibet on 26 August, triggered by a minor earthquake.
The earthquake triggered a landslide that came down from the mountains and blocked the courses of the Trishuli, Bhoti Koshi and Narayani rivers. The rivers burst their banks, and the water, mixed with silt and rocks, flooded the coastal areas.