At least 160 people have been killed and more than 400 remain missing after catastrophic flash floods swept through northern Nepal and parts of Tibet, destroying villages and severely damaging roads, bridges and power infrastructure, authorities said Wednesday.

The disaster struck the mountainous Rasuwa district near Nepal’s border with Tibet, where a sudden surge of water and debris tore through communities along the Bhote Koshi River. Entire sections of villages were inundated, while buildings, vehicles, bridges and other infrastructure were swept away by powerful torrents.

Nepal Police said at least 157 bodies had been recovered in the country, while the overall death toll had risen to at least 160 when casualties reported on the Chinese side of the border were included. Chinese authorities reported at least three deaths from a mudslide in Gyirong County in Tibet.

Hundreds of Foreign Tourists Missing              

The disaster has raised particular concern over foreign tourists and pilgrims traveling through the region.

Nepalese officials said 403 people were reported missing, including 341 foreign nationals. Among those unaccounted for were 133 Indian pilgrims traveling toward Mount Kailash, as well as citizens of the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada.

A separate preliminary list from the Nepal Tourism Board identified 384 travelers as missing, including 291 foreigners and 93 Nepali nationals, highlighting the difficulty authorities face in establishing the precise number of people still unaccounted for as communications remain disrupted.

Bridges and Hydropower Projects Destroyed

The flooding caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure across the mountainous region.

Officials said at least 19 bridges were swept away, while numerous roads and hydropower facilities were damaged. Several communities were cut off from the rest of the country, complicating efforts to reach survivors and recover bodies.

Dramatic footage from the affected areas showed torrents of muddy water carrying trees, vehicles and debris through valleys. Buildings were partially submerged or destroyed, while roads were buried beneath mud and rubble.

Authorities have warned residents downstream of the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers to stay away from riverbanks as rescue and recovery operations continue.

Possible Landslide or Glacier-Related Trigger

Scientists and officials are investigating what caused the sudden surge.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded a magnitude 4.4 earthquake near the Nepal-Tibet border, but later classified the event as a magnitude 5.2 landslide. Experts have also pointed to a possible combination of a landslide, avalanche or glacial collapse that may have sent a huge volume of water and debris into the river system.

The precise mechanism remains under investigation.

Rescue Efforts Intensify

Nepal has deployed security forces, helicopters and other emergency teams to search for survivors and people reported missing. However, damaged roads, destroyed bridges, high river levels and continuing hazards have made access to some of the worst-hit areas extremely difficult.

The Nepalese government has also sought assistance from India and China for the rescue operation.

Across the border, Chinese authorities have launched their own emergency response after a mudslide struck the Gyirong border area, damaging roads, communications and electricity infrastructure and leaving hundreds unaccounted for.

With rescue teams still working to reach isolated communities and reconcile conflicting reports of missing people, authorities have warned that the death toll could rise further as search operations continue. (ILKHA)