The death toll from devastating flash floods in the Nepal-Tibet border region has reached at least 469, with nearly 1,000 people still missing, authorities reported Friday. The disaster, which occurred Wednesday, has also left 1,545 people injured and displaced thousands more.
The flooding inundated areas along the Trishuli River, burying buildings and damaging infrastructure, including bridges and roadways. The destructive wall of water, originating from the mountains, caused significant damage extending at least 62 miles downstream into Nepal.
The flood was reportedly triggered by a landslide approximately 12 miles northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border post. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed a 5.2-magnitude landslide in Nepal on Wednesday, initially misreported as an earthquake. An estimated 100 million cubic meters of ice, rock, and debris were displaced by the event.
In Tibet, the Chinese region bordering Nepal, three people have been confirmed dead and 558 others are missing, according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with 8,380 police personnel deployed in Nepal. The Nepal Army has been conducting aerial rescues of stranded individuals.
Nepal's Office of the Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended condolences to affected families. The Nepali government has established an Emergency Control Room to coordinate search, rescue, and information verification efforts.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States is in communication with Nepal's leadership and has offered to provide necessary aid for the disaster relief efforts.