At least 995 people have died in massive flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border, The Kathmandu Post reported. The floods hit the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district in central Nepal. Nearly more than 1000 people have been reported missing, including at least 105 Indians.
The floods damaged roads, hydropower projects and other key infrastructure, including telecommunication networks. More than 30 helicopters operated by the Nepal Army and private companies have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations.
Nepal Correspondence claimed in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that construction activities in the Himalayan region on the Chinese side may have contributed to the flash floods in Nepal. The post alleged that the construction of settlements and other infrastructure near glacial areas has damaged the local ecosystem and increased the risk of avalanches and flash floods.
It also claimed that the latest incident was triggered near Gyirong town in Tibet, close to the Nepal border. According to the post, the town was built after cutting into the surrounding hills and is located near the natural course of the Trishuli River.
The post further alleged that the Gyirong Port near the Rasuwa border was built near a river confluence, which it claimed could increase the flow of water towards Nepal. It called for the Nepal government to raise the issue with China over the alleged environmental damage.
China restricts movement near Gyirong Port
According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, temporary traffic restrictions were imposed on roads leading to Gyirong Port after a mudslide struck near the border port on Wednesday morning.
Authorities have closed all routes between Gyirong Town and the port to vehicles, except those being used for emergency and rescue operations. The restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
The mudslide made roads in the port area unsafe and disrupted road connectivity, communications and power supplies on the Chinese side, the emergency management bureau of Gyirong County in Xigaze City said.