Nepal flash flood kills at least 157, leaves nearly 400 missing — including foreign tourists
Summary
A flash flood on the Bhotekoshi river has killed at least 157 people and left nearly 400 missing, devastating settlements, roads, bridges and hydropower projects across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and nearby areas. Officials say the disaster was triggered by an avalanche in Tibet and exposed major gaps in early warning systems and cross-border coordination.
Key Points
- A sudden flash flood on the Bhotekoshi river killed at least 157 people and left hundreds missing, including foreign tourists and security personnel.
- The flood swept away homes, bridges, highways, hydropower projects, vehicles and public infrastructure across three districts, with Rasuwa among the worst-hit areas.
- Authorities say an avalanche in Tibet blocked the Lhende tributary and triggered the disaster, while warning systems and cross-border information sharing failed to prevent major losses.
- Nepal and China have now discussed faster information sharing, as officials say better real-time monitoring is needed to protect downstream communities.
