Nepal President thanks India for ‘generous support and solidarity’ after floods
Nepal is facing one of its worst natural disasters in recent years after devastating flash floods swept through areas along the Bhote Koshi river near the Nepal-China border on August 26, killing hundreds of people and leaving hundreds more missing. The disaster, which also affected Tibet, was triggered after a high-altitude glacier near the border sheared away and plunged into the Lhende Khola river catchment, setting off a chain reaction involving ice, rock, snow and sediment. The resulting torrent tore through communities, infrastructure and river corridors before moving downstream into Nepal.<br /><br />The scale of the destruction has continued to emerge as rescue teams search through mud and debris across several districts. The confirmed death toll in Nepal had risen to 389 by early Friday, while almost 1,000 people remained missing across Nepal and neighbouring Tibet. More than 540 foreigners were among those reported missing. However, casualty and missing-person figures have varied as authorities continue to verify information and coordinate rescue operations across difficult terrain.<br /><br />Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha and Nawalparasi are among the areas badly affected. Roads and bridges have been destroyed, buildings swept away and hydropower facilities damaged. The devastation has severely disrupted the route connecting Kathmandu with Lhasa and affected areas popular with trekkers, tourists and pilgrims.<br /><br />One of the most significant concerns is the continuing threat from water and debris accumulated in the river system. Nepalese authorities have warned that a debris blockage has created a lake along the Bhotekoshi river, raising concerns about a possible secondary flood if the barrier gives way. China has separately warned of the risk posed by a barrier lake in Tibet, with officials expecting additional water to enter the already blocked system over the coming days.<br /><br />The disaster has also triggered a major international rescue effort, particularly because large numbers of foreign nationals were travelling through the affected region. Indian nationals form one of the largest groups among those reported missing. Nepal Police had reported 178 Indians among 644 missing people at one stage, while India's Ministry of External Affairs said several groups of Indian tourists, pilgrims and workers were stranded in different locations.<br /><br />India has activated a round-the-clock control room in New Delhi and emergency helplines through its missions in Kathmandu and Beijing. The MEA has been coordinating with Nepalese and Chinese authorities to locate and evacuate Indian nationals. Sixty-three Indian nationals from the Trishuli-I hydropower project were among those rescued, while 21 Tamil Nadu pilgrims travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra were also reported rescued.<br /><br />Rescue operations in Nepal have been mounted on a large scale. More than 13,000 security personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been mobilised. Helicopters have been used to evacuate stranded people and deliver food, medicines and other relief material. Private helicopters have also been deployed, with dozens of charter flights carrying supplies to affected areas.<br /><br />Prime Minister Balendra Shah visited flood-hit Nuwakot to assess the damage and review search and rescue operations. He said state agencies were operating at full capacity, with saving lives, locating missing people, treating the injured and providing immediate relief identified as the government's priorities.<br />