Kathmandu. At least 95 people were killed in Nepal on Wednesday after a massive flood and mudslide swept through a border region with Tibet, while hundreds of tourists remained unaccounted for, authorities said.

Nepal Police spokesman Abi Narayan Kafle said 95 deaths had been confirmed, while 28 police officers were also missing.

The disaster struck near the Nepal-China border after a torrent of mud and debris surged through the Lhende River, sweeping away buildings and vehicles and triggering a major search-and-rescue operation.

Nepal's tourism authorities initially reported hundreds of tourists out of contact after the disaster, including foreign nationals from the United States, India, Australia, Malaysia, and Britain.

The Nepal Army deployed helicopters and disaster-response personnel to the affected area as authorities searched for survivors and assessed the damage.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah urged people to remain united and pledged government support for rescue, medical treatment, food, and shelter.

“The state is with you with all its means and resources,” Shah said in a statement.

The disaster also disrupted Nepal's power supply. The Nepal Electricity Authority said about 430 megawatts of generation capacity, including hydropower and solar facilities, had been damaged, affecting electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.

Several highways were also closed because of flooding and landslide risks.

China launches rescue operation
The flooding also caused major casualties on the Chinese side of the border, according to Chinese state media.

A mudslide struck the Gyirong Port, a key trading hub in Tibet, with state broadcaster CCTV reporting major casualties and missing people.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered an “all-out” rescue effort and called for authorities to prioritize finding missing people, treating the injured, and minimizing casualties.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken with Shah and offered India's assistance with rescue and relief operations.

“The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time,” Modi said.

Risk of further flooding

Scientists and disaster experts warned that another flood could occur because debris may still be blocking the river upstream.

Sarthak Shrestha, a remote-sensing analyst at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, said a preliminary assessment indicated that a rock-and-ice avalanche in Nepal may have blocked the Lhende River, triggering the cascading flood.

Climate and environmental risk experts at the organization also warned that a second flood could be imminent if the blockage remains.

Nepal and other parts of South Asia are frequently hit by floods and landslides during the June-to-September monsoon season. Scientists say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region.

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