‘Major casualties’ feared after flash floods along Nepal-Tibet border - The Guardian

**Major casualties feared after flash floods along Nepal‑Tibet border**

Heavy rainfall and rapid snow‑melt have triggered flash floods along the remote Nepal‑Tibet border, sweeping away villages, roads and bridges in the mountainous districts of Sankhuwasabha and Taplejung. Local authorities reported that at least 17 people have been confirmed dead and dozens of others are missing, including a large contingent of foreign tourists who were trekking in the area. The Guardian highlighted the scale of the disaster, while the BBC noted that hundreds of tourists remain unaccounted for, raising fears of a significant humanitarian crisis.

In the wake of the calamity, Nepal’s government has appealed for international assistance, and India has moved quickly to provide aid. The Indian Air Force has readied a C‑130 transport aircraft to carry relief supplies and rescue personnel to the affected zones, as reported by NDTV. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally spoke with Kathmandu’s mayor, Balen Shah, offering financial and logistical support, and coordinated with Nepali officials to streamline the deployment of Indian rescue teams and medical aid.

Downstream communities in India are also on high alert. The sudden surge of water in the Gandak River, which originates in the flood‑stricken region, has prompted the state of Bihar to raise its flood‑warning level, fearing a rise that could inundate far‑mlaw districts. Officials are monitoring river gauges closely and preparing evacuation plans, underscoring the trans‑border nature of the disaster and the need for coordinated response between Nepal and its neighbours.