Nepal was struck by a catastrophic flash flood after a glacial collapse that left hundreds missing, including 65 American tourists, officials said.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. local time a wall of water and debris swept down the Bhote Koshi River, destroying buildings and damaging roads, bridges, power lines and communications in the Rasuwa District.
Nepal Police posted that 270 bodies have been recovered so far as search and rescue teams continue operations across Rasuwagadhi, Timure, Syafrubesi and surrounding areas.
The Nepal Tourism Board said 644 Nepali and foreign nationals remain missing, and provided a nationality breakdown that included 127 Nepali, 35 Australian, 25 Canadian and 33 British nationals.
The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu said it is working to account for U.S. citizens who may have been affected, with 65 Americans reported among the missing.
Analysts and agencies working from satellite and seismic data have pointed to a glacial collapse as the trigger.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority cited an initial Planet Labs satellite analysis that identified a glacier-inclusive flood in the Lhende River following a snow-rock landslide about 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border crossing.
The U.S. Geological Survey said early seismic reports that suggested a 4.4 magnitude earthquake were revised after analysis showed long-period seismic waves consistent with a landslide, and that the shaking equaled a magnitude 5.2 event.
Video footage circulated by broadcasters showed torrents tearing apart bridges and people running for safety, with the BBC noting it edited some clips because of distressing content.
Impact Response And Warnings
Local authorities warned communities along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers to stay away from riverbanks and low-lying areas as floodwaters and debris moved downstream.
The Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist Police and tourism stakeholders said they are trying to verify the whereabouts and safety of tourists in the affected areas while search and rescue teams continue working.
The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed solidarity and said the State Department stands ready to support Nepal with humanitarian assistance, according to a post on X.
The U.S. Embassy posted targeted safety guidance advising U.S. citizens in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Chitwan and Tanahun to avoid riverbanks and seek higher ground as authorities assess further risks.
Nepalese officials continue to issue alerts and carry out aerial and ground searches amid concerns about additional flooding, infrastructure damage and the safety of those unaccounted for.
