A flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border has killed at least 389 people and left nearly 1,400 missing, with a debris-clogged river now at risk of flooding again as rescuers search for survivors.
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Key facts
- At least 389 people have been killed and more than 1,300 reported missing.
- Hundreds of the missing are tourists.
- Chinese state media said 555 stranded tourists were evacuated from Tibet.
- State broadcaster CCTV reported 499 local residents were also transported out of the disaster zone.
- A debris-clogged river is at risk of flooding again, according to the Guardian's live coverage.
A catastrophic flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border has killed at least 389 people and left more than 1,300 others missing, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of the disaster now in its third day.
Hundreds of those unaccounted for are tourists, the Guardian reported, with the total number of missing approaching 1,400. Rescuers are continuing to search for survivors amid difficult conditions.
Adding to the danger, the Guardian reported that a river clogged with debris is at risk of flooding again, raising fresh concerns for both survivors and the rescue teams operating in the disaster zone.
On the Tibetan side of the border, Chinese state media reported progress in evacuations. State broadcaster CCTV said that as of Friday morning, 555 stranded tourists had been transported out of the disaster area.
CCTV also reported that 499 local residents had been moved out of the affected zone alongside the evacuated tourists, according to the Guardian.
The Guardian has published a visual guide detailing how the deadly flooding unfolded and has invited people affected by the floods to share their accounts. The full scale of casualties remained uncertain as search efforts continued.
Why it matters
Flash floods of this scale cause enormous loss of life and expose the vulnerability of communities and travellers in mountainous border regions. The continued risk of renewed flooding underscores the ongoing danger to survivors and rescuers as the search for the missing goes on.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have died in the Nepal-Tibet flash flood?
At least 389 people have been killed, according to the Guardian's live coverage, with more than 1,300 others reported missing.
How many tourists were evacuated?
Chinese state media reported that 555 stranded tourists were transported out of the disaster zone in Tibet as of Friday morning, along with 499 local residents.
Is there still a flooding risk?
Yes. The Guardian reported that a river clogged with debris is at risk of flooding again, posing continued danger to the area.
Timeline
- Nepal-Tibet flash flood live updates: death toll rises to 469, police say; debris-clogged river at risk of flooding again
The Guardian World: The catastrophic flash flood has left 1,300 missing, with hundreds of tourists unaccounted for as rescuers race to find survivors Nearly 1,400 missing, mostly tourists, and hundreds killed Nepal-Tibet flash flood: what we know so far on day three Visual guide: how the deadly floo
- Nepal-Tibet flash flood live updates: debris-clogged river at risk of flooding again; rescuers race to find survivors
The Guardian World: The catastrophic flash flood has killed at least 389 people and left more than 1,300 missing, with hundreds of tourists unaccounted for Nearly 1,400 missing, mostly tourists, and hundreds killed Nepal-Tibet flash flood: what we know so far on day three Visual guide: how the deadl