Approximately 80 American citizens remain unaccounted for in the wake of a catastrophic flood and debris flow in Nepal that has killed 903 people, according to the State Department and Nepalese officials. An update from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday indicated that 4,200 people are still missing nationwide.
The disaster occurred when a slope failure involving a glacier in north-central Nepal triggered a rapidly moving debris flow. This surge of water and debris traveled approximately 62 miles downstream, impacting populated areas and resulting in significant destruction. Footage from the event showed a massive rush of water and debris inundating valleys and buildings.
Of the foreign nationals missing, about 590 are from 39 different countries. The State Department confirmed that 13 American citizens have been located and have reached safety in Nepal. Twenty-two Americans were part of a pilgrimage group affiliated with the Isha Foundation and were inside an immigration building when the flooding struck, according to Jyoti Jankowski, a coordination leader for the foundation.
Nepal is coordinating with international partners to provide relief efforts, with supplies arriving from countries including India and China. Additional aid is expected from the United States, United Arab Emirates, Myanmar, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and various international organizations.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is investigating the exact cause of the initial slope failure, with investigators uncertain whether it was a landslide incorporating glacial material or a direct glacial collapse. The event was associated with two seismic events recorded by the USGS: a magnitude 5.2 earthquake and a second, three hours later, with a magnitude 4.2. The USGS explained that the glacial debris contained water and ice that rapidly melted, accumulating more material as it flowed downslope, creating a fast-moving landslide and flood laden with debris.
The State Department has deployed a disaster response advisor to the region and pledged $500,000 in assistance through Catholic Relief Services to support emergency shelter, relief items, and water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives for affected communities.