KATHMANDU — Nepal Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has confirmed that at least 160 people have died and thousands remain missing following catastrophic flash floods in the Rasuwa region along the Nepal-Tibet border. Among those untraced are nearly 300 Indian nationals, primarily pilgrims traveling along the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route.
Speaking at the NDTV World Anviksha Summit, Khanal noted that approximately 500 foreign nationals are currently out of contact. The disaster—triggered by a massive glacial collapse and debris flow—swept through border settlements, washing away towns, key bridges, and critical infrastructure projects.
Disaster Impact & Rescue Overview
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Casualties & Missing: 162+ confirmed dead; over 823 people remain out of contact across the region.
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Foreign & Indian Impact: ~300 Indian tourists/pilgrims missing out of roughly 500 overall untraced foreign nationals.
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Primary Cause: Glacial collapse and snow-rock landslide originating in Tibet that surged down the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems.
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Affected Area: Rasuwa, Dhading, and Nuwakot districts near the Nepal-China border.
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Relief & Coordination: India has dispatched immediate humanitarian aid and relief materials. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has set up emergency helplines (+977 985 131 6807 / +977 970 910 7500) to coordinate search operations.
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Tourism Status: Key international tourist zones, including Pokhara and the Mount Everest region, remain unaffected and open to visitors.
