The number of people reported missing following devastating flash floods in Nepal has risen sharply to 1,924, according to the country’s disaster relief agency. Officials said the missing include at least 517 foreign nationals, although the situation remains rapidly changing and different authorities have reported varying figures.
The disaster has also claimed at least 579 lives in Nepal, while neighbouring Tibet has reported at least five deaths, with another 558 people missing, according to figures reported by Chinese state media.
Glacier Collapse Triggered Massive Flood
Local officials told the BBC that the disaster was caused by the collapse of a glacier, sending a powerful wave of water rushing through affected communities. The sudden surge swept through homes, damaged roads and destroyed critical infrastructure. One of the most significant losses was a major border crossing between Nepal and Tibet, which was severely damaged by the floodwaters. The disaster has left communities struggling to locate relatives and account for those who were in the affected areas when the floods struck.
Families Wait for News
Among those desperately awaiting information is Prajval Haldia, who spoke to the BBC from south London. Haldia said he was “hoping and really praying” that his parents, who were in the affected region when the floods occurred, would be found safe.
Rescue and relief operations are continuing as authorities search for survivors and assess the extent of the destruction. The rapidly changing casualty figures highlight the scale of the disaster, with officials warning that the number of missing and confirmed deaths could change as rescue teams reach isolated areas and obtain more information.
The floods have become one of the most devastating recent disasters to hit the Nepal-Tibet border region, leaving hundreds dead, thousands unaccounted for and communities facing major challenges in the aftermath.
