Flash floods Nepal has left more than 475 dead, officials said, after a glacier collapse triggered a surge along the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi rivers in the Rasuwa region.
Missing tourists and ongoing rescue
Authorities report that 667 travelers remain unaccounted for, including 33 UK nationals and two Irish citizens. The tourism board confirmed 31 foreign nationals have been rescued, none of whom were from the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Rescue teams, trekking operators and local guides continue to search the damaged valleys. Coordination involves travel agencies, security agencies and regional officials, the board said.
Police figures show the death toll could rise as recovery crews reach isolated hamlets. Damage to roads and communications is hampering efforts, especially in areas where landslides have blocked access.
Cross‑border impact and aid response
In neighboring Tibet, three people are confirmed dead and more than 550 are missing, according to local reports. Overlap between the two counts is possible, given the proximity of Gyirong County to the disaster zone.
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Intrepid Travel launched a fundraising appeal through its Intrepid Foundation, partnering with the Australian Red Cross. The company pledged to match donations up to AUD $200,000; by Friday morning the total had just passed AUD $150,000.
Intrepid confirmed none of its travelers or staff were in the affected area when the floods struck, and all its guests in Nepal have been accounted for.
There is growing concern about a barrier lake formed by the glacier melt. Chinese state media reported the lake began to overflow on Friday, briefly halting rescue work for safety reasons before operations resumed.
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice, warning of the risk of further flooding in both Nepal and Tibet. The advisory notes that conditions may deteriorate rapidly and urges travelers to stay informed.
Local authorities are verifying the status of stranded visitors, cross‑checking information from multiple agencies to ensure accuracy. This process involves checking hotel registers, guide logs and reports from trekking companies.
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For families back home, the uncertainty is painful. While some hope to receive news soon, others brace for the possibility that more people could be lost if the lake breaches again.
In practice, the ongoing threat means that any further rain could trigger another surge, putting remaining search teams at risk and delaying aid delivery to isolated villages still cut off by washed‑out bridges.
Despite the challenges, volunteers continue to distribute food and medical supplies to shelters set up in the hills. The effort is coordinated with Nepal’s disaster management authority and several international NGOs.
As the situation evolves, officials say they will keep updating the public on rescue progress and any new safety alerts. The focus remains on locating missing individuals and preventing additional loss of life.