A devastating flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border has killed at least 270 people, Nepali police confirmed Thursday, with the toll rising sharply after 93 more bodies were recovered a day after the disaster struck. Hundreds more remain missing, including nearly 300 Indian nationals, prompting a coordinated emergency response from India, Nepal, and China.
What Caused the Disaster
The U.S. Geological Survey said Thursday that seismic activity initially reported as an earthquake was actually caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow, which triggered catastrophic downstream impacts across Nepal and Tibet. An enormous wave of water, ice, mud, and rock reportedly cascaded more than 170 kilometres down the Bhote Koshi River valley, the main link between Kathmandu and Lhasa, Tibet, with earthmovers seen clearing debris in Nepal's Nuwakot district in the disaster's aftermath.
According to glaciology experts, the Himalayas are increasingly vulnerable to this kind of event as climate change accelerates glacial melt even at high altitudes. Many of the region's steep slopes are made of permafrost, rock and soil frozen for centuries, which can begin destabilising as temperatures rise, and a sudden slope failure or seismic trigger can then set off a devastating debris flow with very little warning.
Nearly 300 Indians Missing
India's Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday that 299 Indians are missing in Nepal, though 21 Indian nationals have since been rescued, including a group of 21 from Tamil Nadu. Around 200 additional Indians in Tibet have also sought assistance. "India is sending relief supplies based on Nepal's request. We are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Nepal in this time," the MEA said in a statement.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a high-level review meeting with the Foreign Secretary and India's ambassadors in Kathmandu and Beijing, saying "urgent efforts are underway to ascertain the status and well-being of all Indians in the flood-affected areas," with the Ministry coordinating closely with state governments, tour operators, and other relevant authorities.
India has also sent a second tranche of relief supplies to Nepal via military transport aircraft, and the MEA has set up a 24×7 Control Room to handle queries related to the disaster.
Other Countries Affected Too
India isn't the only country with citizens caught up in the disaster. China's foreign ministry said nearly 100 Chinese nationals remain missing in the affected border region, with the Chinese embassy seeking further verification from Nepali authorities. Reports have also indicated that at least 34 Australians are among those unaccounted for, underscoring how the Bhote Koshi valley's role as a major travel corridor left tourists from multiple countries exposed to the disaster.
India on High Alert Along Its Own Border
With rivers flowing from Nepal into Indian territory, authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj and Kushinagar districts have sounded a high alert, stepping up monitoring of the Gandak and other water bodies downstream. According to the National Disaster Response Force, there has been no adverse flood impact reported yet in Indian border districts in Bihar or UP, though agencies continue closely monitoring water discharge levels in sensitive areas. India has already delivered relief supplies via two Indian Air Force aircraft, and four specialised NDRF rescue teams remain on standby in Ghaziabad for rapid deployment if needed.
State Governments Mobilise for Their Citizens
Several Indian states with residents believed to be in the affected region have set up dedicated support mechanisms. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay held an emergency meeting in Chennai and directed a team, including the state's Resident Commissioner in New Delhi, to travel to Kathmandu to coordinate relief and rescue operations, while four state ministers were sent to Delhi to liaise with the Union government.
Meghalaya's disaster management authority opened a dedicated helpline for families to report missing persons potentially in the affected area, while Madhya Pradesh set up a control room in New Delhi for stranded tourists from the state. Karnataka has similarly established a helpline desk to assist stranded people and their families.
A Call for National Unity
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge urged the Union government to assist those affected by the floods, expressing grief over the loss of life and calling for coordinated national support. "A major tragedy has occurred in Nepal... a number of Indians have lost their lives in the tragedy. Hundreds of people who had gone on pilgrimage or as tourists have lost their lives," Kharge said, calling for swift efforts to locate the missing, safely return survivors, and repatriate the bodies of the deceased, alongside financial support for affected families.
Emergency Contact Information
For anyone seeking assistance regarding Indian nationals in Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs' Control Room can be reached at +91 11 2308 8718 or +91 11 2308 8719, via WhatsApp at +91 9968291988, or by email at situationroom@mea.gov.in. The Embassy of India in Kathmandu can be reached at +977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500, or +977 981 032 6117 (also available via WhatsApp).
FAQs
Q1. What has caused the flash floods in Nepal?
The US Geological Survey attributed the disaster to a glacial collapse and debris flow, rather than an earthquake as initially reported, which triggered catastrophic downstream impacts along the Bhote Koshi River.
Q2. How many people have died, and how many are missing?
Nepali police confirmed at least 270 deaths as of Thursday. India's MEA reported 299 Indians missing, with nearly 100 Chinese nationals and at least 34 Australians also reported missing.
Q3. What is India doing to help affected citizens?
India has sent two tranches of relief supplies via military aircraft, set up a 24×7 MEA Control Room, and is coordinating rescue efforts with Nepali authorities. Several Indian states have also opened dedicated helplines for families of the missing.
Q4. Is there any flood risk to Indian border areas?
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj and Kushinagar districts have raised alerts and stepped up river monitoring as a precaution, though the NDRF reported no adverse flood impact in Indian border districts as of the latest update.