A massive flood triggered by a landslide on the border with China has left hundreds of people missing in Nepal, according to infohub.kz.
According to RIA Novosti, a powerful torrent of water rushed into the Bhote Koshi River in the mountainous area on Friday morning. The disaster caused significant damage to several districts in Rasuwa. Authorities have put downstream settlements on high alert. Nepalese media report that the water came from the Chinese side.
Nepal's tourism department said more than 380 tourists are missing after the flood. Preliminary data from travel companies indicate that 384 people, including 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepalis, remain unaccounted for in the affected areas.
Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khadka stated that the major flood was caused by an earthquake followed by a landslide. According to him, the earthquake occurred at 8:37 a.m. local time, which corresponds to 7:52 a.m. in Astana. The tremors triggered a massive landslide that blocked the river, leading to the flood.
The government has already launched rescue operations and is collecting detailed damage reports. The circumstances of the incident are being clarified in coordination with neighboring countries.