Kathmandu, Aug 27 (V7N)- Nearly 1,500 people are missing in Nepal and Tibet, China, after flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains swept through a Himalayan river on Wednesday (August 26).
Reuters reported the information on Thursday (August 27), citing Nepalese police and tourism authorities and Chinese state media CCTV.
According to Nepalese authorities, 826 people are currently missing in the country. Around 500 of them are foreign nationals. Among the missing foreigners are 177 Indians, 63 Americans, 34 Australians, 33 British and 25 Canadians. Citizens of more than two dozen countries are reportedly among those missing.
Meanwhile, CCTV reported that 558 people are missing in Tibet's Gyirong County, including 260 foreign nationals. Chinese authorities said at least three people have died in the affected area.
The disaster occurred after a massive amount of soil and rocks from the mountains collapsed into a river, triggering powerful flash floods. Large areas were inundated as torrents of mud, rocks and water swept through the region.
Verified videos shared on social media showed people fleeing from rocks, mud and rushing water in the border area of Gyirong. The powerful currents reportedly swept away homes, roads and power infrastructure.
Many of those missing were pilgrims travelling to Kailash-Manasarovar, a sacred site in the Tibetan highlands. Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar hold religious significance for Hindus and Buddhists, among others.
Rescue operations are continuing in the affected areas as authorities search for the missing and assess the extent of the destruction.
END/SMA/AJ
