Kathmandu: The devastating flash floods that swept through Nepal on Wednesday have claimed nearly 160 lives, with Nepal Police reporting 157 deaths and more than 750 people still missing. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue across several affected districts.

Among those missing are 391 foreign nationals, including 133 Indians. Nepal has launched a large-scale rescue operation, while India has extended humanitarian assistance to the neighbouring country.

Flash Floods Cause Widespread Destruction

The flash floods struck after a massive surge of water entered Nepal from the direction of Tibet on Wednesday morning. The disaster hit Rasuwa district near the Nepal-China border before the floodwaters moved downstream through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.

The flooding was initially reported in Rasuwa and Dhading before spreading downstream to areas including Nuwakot, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahu and Nawalparasi East.

The floods devastated towns and villages, sweeping away houses, vehicles, roads and bridges. Several infrastructure projects, including hydropower facilities and border trade infrastructure, were also badly damaged.

Reports have linked the sudden flooding to a rockslide or ice-and-mud collapse near the border. An earthquake recorded in Tibet shortly before the flooding has also been cited as a possible contributing factor, although the exact trigger is still being assessed.

Several videos showing the scale of the devastation have surfaced on social media. With the situation remaining critical, Nepal has intensified rescue operations, deploying security personnel and helicopters to search for missing people and evacuate those stranded.

133 Indians Among Those Missing

India has emerged as one of the first responders to the disaster and has sent 10 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), including essential medicines, to Nepal.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the assistance had reached Kathmandu and that further support was being mobilised to support relief efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and assured him that India would provide all possible humanitarian assistance.

“In this difficult time, the people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal. India is prepared to provide Nepal with all possible types of humanitarian assistance. Our teams are closely coordinating on rescue and relief efforts,” Modi said.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has also issued emergency contact numbers for assistance and information related to Indian nationals affected by the flash floods. People can contact +977 985 131 6807 or +977 970 910 7500.

The Embassy of India has remained engaged with the relevant authorities of the Nepal government to facilitate the early rescue and relief of Indian nationals affected by the floods.

China Steps Up Rescue Efforts

China has also intensified search and rescue operations after the disaster affected areas on its side of the border.

Chinese authorities have deployed rescue personnel to affected border areas, while President Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts to locate and rescue missing people, evacuate residents at risk and provide timely medical treatment to the injured.

Xi also stressed the need to strengthen monitoring and early-warning systems, ensure scientific rescue operations and guard against secondary disasters.

The rescue operation in Nepal remains underway as authorities continue efforts to locate hundreds of missing people and assess the full extent of the devastation.