The death toll from an earthquake-triggered avalanche and catastrophic flash floods in northern Nepal has risen to ninety-five, according to the country`s tourism ministry and international wire reports. The disaster struck the mountainous Rasuwa district north of Kathmandu early Wednesday morning, triggering massive torrents of water and snow that swept through local communities and remote tourist routes. Reuters and BBC News reported that hundreds of travelers, including foreign nationals from the United Kingdom, South Korea, India, and the United States, remain unaccounted for following the sudden deluge.
Nepalese Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal informed parliament that an earthquake struck the region shortly before the avalanche and subsequent flash floods wreaked havoc across the border terrain. Authorities noted that official assessments are ongoing as rescue teams struggle to verify casualty figures and establish contact with remote settlements. Neighboring China has also reported significant damage across the Tibetan border region, prompting coordinated cross-border disaster response efforts between Beijing and Kathmandu.
To bolster rescue operations, the Nepalese military and security forces deployed fifteen helicopters along with specialized search teams to scour the rugged disaster zone. Rescuers have managed to evacuate dozens of stranded individuals from isolated villages, but adverse weather conditions and swollen river currents continue to hamper access to the hardest-hit areas. Government officials confirmed that dozens of military and police personnel stationed in the region are also missing.
The catastrophe has severely crippled regional infrastructure, destroying critical roads, bridges, and hydroelectric facilities. Key power generation sites, including the Trishuli hydroelectric project, suffered substantial damage, disrupting the national power grid and plunging parts of the country into darkness. International governments have expressed deep concern over the missing foreign tourists, prompting diplomatic missions to coordinate closely with local emergency services.
As recovery efforts continue, local authorities have issued strict evacuation orders for residents living near swollen riverbanks. Emergency services remain mobilized around the clock as international agencies monitor the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the Himalayan region.
