A sudden overflow of the Bhote Koshi river caused a flash flood and landslide in Nepal's Nuwakot district on Wednesday [2, 3].
The disaster struck a region near the border with China, sweeping away homes and vehicles while trapping hundreds of tourists. Because the area is a frequent destination for international visitors, the scale of the missing persons list suggests a significant international toll.
Reports on the death toll vary widely across sources. Some reports indicate at least 22 deaths [1], while others cite 72 [3], 95 [6], or as many as 160 [2, 4]. Local authorities and rescue teams are working through the debris to confirm the final count.
The flood also left a large number of people unaccounted for. Some sources report 384 missing tourists [5], while others state that more than 400 people are missing [2, 7]. A large portion of these tourists are reported to be Chinese citizens [1].
The catastrophe was triggered by a rapid rise in the Bhote Koshi river. This surge was likely caused by a glacial melt or an ice-rock avalanche [7], a common hazard in the high-altitude terrain of the Himalayas.
Emergency responders are currently navigating the Nuwakot district to locate survivors. The combination of landslides and rushing water has destroyed infrastructure, making access to the most affected villages difficult.
“A sudden overflow of the Bhote Koshi river caused a flash flood and landslide”
This event highlights the increasing volatility of glacial lakes and ice-rock formations in the Himalayas. As temperatures fluctuate, the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) increases, posing a recurring threat to both local residents and the growing tourism industry in border regions between Nepal and China.
