At least 16 people have died, and hundreds remain missing after a flash flood swept through parts of Nepal’s Rasuwaregion and nearby districts. Among those reported missing are 105 Indian nationals. The flash flood hit the Bhote Koshi River and caused widespread destruction in several areas. Floodwaters originating from the Tibetan side of the border reportedly swept through settlements and damaged homes, buildings and other infrastructure.

According to Nepali media reports, the authorities have recovered at least eight bodies from Nuwakot and Dhading districts. Nepal News, citing Central Police Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General Abinarayan Kafle, reported the recovery. Officials have not yet confirmed the final death toll or the total extent of the destruction.

The Nepal Tourism Board said 384 people have been reported missing from the flood-hit areas. The missing include 291 foreign nationals and 93 Nepali citizens. Among the missing foreigners are 105 Indians. The authorities are continuing search and rescue operations in several affected locations.

The disaster has also affected security personnel. At least 26 Nepal Police personnel are missing in Rasuwa district. The Armed Police Force has also reported personnel unaccounted for. Nine Armed Police Force personnel stationed in Timure, close to the Nepal-China border, have been reported missing.

“The exact details of the flood damage have not yet been received,” Narendra Pariyar, Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, told news agency ANI.

The sudden rise in water caused major damage across several settlements in Rasuwa. The affected areas include Syaphrubesi, Timure, Betrawati, Mailung, Salletar, Shantibazar, Pairebesi, Khalti Basti, Sole, Trishuli and Battar. Syaphrubesi market and Timure are among the worst-hit locations. Several buildings and other infrastructure were damaged after the water level rose rapidly, according to the Kathmandu Post.

The flood also damaged police buildings and posts in Timure, Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi. The authorities are yet to establish the complete number of deaths, injuries and property losses.

The Nepal government has launched large-scale rescue and relief operations. Two Nepal Army helicopters have been sent to the affected areas. The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have also been deployed for rescue work. Medical teams and ambulances are being moved to the affected areas to provide emergency assistance.

The Red Cross and Scouts have been asked to support relief operations. Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah chaired an emergency meeting to assess the situation and review the ongoing response.

The floodwaters have now moved from the Bhote Koshi into the Trishuli River. Authorities said the water reached Galchhiin Dhading by Wednesday afternoon. They warned that the water could reach Muglin within hours. People living close to the Trishuli River have been advised to move to safer and higher ground.

Officials have also raised concerns over possible disruption to the Prithvi Highway and the Muglin-Narayanghat road. The two routes are important road links in the region, and rising water levels could affect movement and connectivity.

The exact cause of the flash flood remains unclear. Officials said there was no heavy rainfall in Rasuwa when the flood struck. However, significant rainfall was reported on the Tibetan side of the border. There is speculation that a glacial lake outburst flood, or GLOF, may have triggered the sudden rise in water. Authorities have not officially confirmed this possibility.

The disaster has also prompted action from China. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out efforts to search for and rescue people missing after a mudslide in Nepal caused casualties at the Gyirong border port in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Xinhua News reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Balendra Shah after the deadly floods. Modi expressed condolences over the loss of lives and assured Nepal of India’s support in rescue and relief operations.

“Spoke to Prime Minister Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods in Nepal. The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” Modi said in a post on X, adding that India is coordinating ‘closely on rescue and relief efforts.’

The number of casualties and missing people could rise as rescue teams continue to reach areas affected by the flood. Several settlements have suffered heavy damage, while authorities are still assessing the full scale of the disaster. Search operations remain underway to locate those missing and provide assistance to people stranded in the affected areas.