Initial reports suggest an earthquake may have triggered an avalanche that led to severe flooding in Nepal, according to a statement from Nepal’s foreign minister Shisir Khanal, as cited by local media, according to news agency Reuters.
Scientists are also examining a possible link between an ice avalanche and the sudden surge of water. He also noted that an earthquake struck the Tibetan side around the same time. Contact has not been established with most of the pilgrims, except for a few. The affected pilgrims are clients of various travel agencies.
The flood surged through the Bhotekoshi River at around 9 am (local time) coming from the Tibet side affecting Rasuwa and Dhading districts bordering Tibet and Nuwakot district, southwest of Kathmandu, officials said, according to AFP. Among the foreign nationals reported missing following a flash flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa district are 105 Indian nationals and 37 NRIs, according to the country’s Tourism Board.
Rijan Bhakta Kayastha, a professor at Kathmandu University and climate researcher, said a preliminary assessment said that an ice avalanche may have blocked the Lhende River, causing water to accumulate before the blockage gave way and sent a sudden surge downstream into the Bhotekoshi River, according to a report by Kathmandu Post. Kayastha said the assessment was based on preliminary findings and discussions with scientists in Nepal and China. It said the figures are based on preliminary agency-wise records received from tourism and travel companies.
