9 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleOlivia Ireland
AFP via Getty ImagesMassive landslides and flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border have caused widespread damage and left hundreds dead or missing.
Search and rescue operations are under way. Chinese state media has said there are significant casualties, while Nepalese officials anticipate “huge scale loss”.
Here is what we know so far.
Nepal’s foreign minister earlier said an earthquake was reported on the Tibet-Nepal border shortly before the landslide, suggesting it may have triggered the disaster.
But the United States Geological Survey’s latest analysis suggests there was no earthquake, raising questions about what caused the landslide itself.
A deluge of material careered towards northern Nepalese towns, including areas popular with mountaineering tourists and pilgrims. The border is around 40 miles (64.4km) north of Nepal’s capital city Kathmandu.
Footage showed a wall of mud and rock sweeping away buildings, roads and vehicles, as people fled the fast-moving wave of material in the Nuwakot region.
Severe flooding have been reported along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers.
Deaths have also been reported in villages on the Tibetan side of the border.
ReutersThe number of people killed or missing is still becoming clear. Around 100 deaths have been reported so far by Nepal and China, which controls Tibet.
However, the eventual death toll is expected to be much higher.
According to Nepal’s tourism board, 403 people are thought to be missing, including 341 foreign nationals, many from India.
Other foreign nationals from 26 countries are also thought to have been caught up in the landslide, including 47 people from the US and 33 from the UK.
ReutersNepal’s Prime Minister said “the entire nation has been left shocked and deeply distressed” and that officials would coordinate with China on the response.
China’s President Xi Jinping urged an “all-out” search effort, and promised stronger monitoring and early warning systems to prevent secondary impacts.
In neighbouring India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government was “prepared to provide Nepal with all possible types of humanitarian assistance”.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the British government will do “everything we can” to support British nationals in Nepal.
NepalTibetChinaFloodsEarthquakesAsia
About The Author
