Devastating tragedy in the Himalayas: Flood of water, mud, ice and rocks leaves 160 dead and more than 1,000 missing

A major natural disaster has struck the Himalayan regions along the border between Nepal and Tibet, where a massive flow of water, mud, ice and rocks has destroyed entire communities.

The preliminary toll stands at more than 160 people dead, while over 1,000 others are still considered missing.

Among the victims and those who have yet to be found are hundreds of tourists and pilgrims from various countries around the world, who had travelled to the area for tourism or religious rites.

The incident occurred on Wednesday after the collapse of large quantities of ice and rocks at high altitudes triggered a sudden flood. The flow swept forcefully through valleys, destroying homes, buildings, bridges, roads, vehicles and energy infrastructure.

Videos and images from the scene show an enormous mass of water and mud advancing toward populated areas, as residents flee in haste to save themselves.

Nepal’s disaster management agency said that, more than 24 hours after the catastrophe, 823 people remained missing. At least 579 of them are Nepali and foreign tourists.

Chinese authorities, meanwhile, have reported 558 people missing. They warned that the figures may include duplicate cases and that the final toll has not yet been determined.

Those being sought include citizens of India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

Many of the missing people and victims were in the region to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, a sacred site in Tibet for Hindus and Buddhists.

Survivors have described the terrifying moments when water and mud engulfed populated areas.

Bibek Khumal, a worker in Rasuwa district, said he began running as soon as he noticed the water approaching. The flow carried him away along with mud and debris, but he managed to grab a tree and hold on until the wave receded.

Keshav Prasad Baral, 68, recounted how he tried to save his wife by climbing onto the roof. He was unable to hold on to her, and she was swept away by the mud. She remains missing.

David Fisher, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said that entire villages and commercial areas have disappeared.

In the affected regions, buildings, trees and vehicles have been covered in mud or swept away by the flow. Helicopters are conducting nonstop flights in an effort to locate and evacuate survivors.

Residents have gathered near Nepalese army bases, seeking information about relatives who have not been found. Damage to hydropower infrastructure has also caused power outages in several areas.

Nepalese authorities initially suspected that the ice collapse had been caused by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) later determined that there had been no earthquake.

Initial assessments indicate that the seismic signal was caused by the collapse of large quantities of ice and rocks, followed by the movement of debris.

According to satellite images, the destructive flood on the Lehde River may have been caused by a massive landslide of ice and rocks. The incident occurred about 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuagadi border crossing between Nepal and China.

Search-and-rescue teams are working in extremely difficult conditions. Around 800 rescue workers, 150 vehicles, trained dogs and specialised equipment have been deployed in Tibet.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the operation to be treated as the highest priority. Meanwhile, the UN has said it is mobilising personnel and supplies to assist affected residents in Nepal.

The United States has also announced emergency aid worth $500,000.

As hundreds of families still await information about their loved ones and more than 1,000 people are reported missing, authorities stress that the full scale of the tragedy in the Himalayas has yet to be determined.