Our parents were crossing the border an hour before the flood hit

More than 575 people have died and nearly 2,000 remain missing following a devastating flash flood and mudslide along the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster swept away entire communities and caught hundreds of foreign tourists and pilgrims in its path. Nepalese authorities reported that more than 500 missing individuals are foreign nationals from 28 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and the United Kingdom. In Tibet, Chinese state media reported three deaths and at least 558 missing people, including 260 foreign nationals.

Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel called on government agencies, security forces, and the public to intensify emergency rescue efforts and maintain vigilance in lower coastal areas. Initial government estimates indicate that damage to critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, exceeds 15 billion Nepalese rupees, or approximately 98 million dollars.

Governments around the world are attempting to locate their citizens and offer support. The United States State Department stated that approximately 90 American citizens may have been impacted by the flood, though five have made their way to safety. Officials said the US embassy in Kathmandu is coordinating closely with local agencies and tour operators. US President Donald Trump announced that his administration offered aid and resources directly to Nepalese leadership.

Canadian authorities reported that 32 Canadians and permanent residents in the region remain unaccounted for. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged citizens in the region to register with federal tracking systems, while Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai said the government is focused on assisting affected families.

The disaster struck a popular destination for religious tourism. Tens of thousands of people travel to Mount Kailash in the region each year, a site sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. Families across the globe are awaiting news of missing relatives who were on pilgrimage when the water arrived. Missing Americans include Deepak and Madhu Ahuja of Texas, as well as New York residents Ramesh Sharma, 65, and Neelam Sharma, 64.

At least 77 of the missing individuals were part of a pilgrimage organized by the Isha Foundation, an international non-profit group headquartered in India with a base in Tennessee. A foundation representative stated that members were processing immigration paperwork near the border when the flood hit. Among those missing from the group is Prabhath Sajeepa, a California software worker.

While initial reports suggested an earthquake caused the disaster, the United States Geological Survey stated that subsequent analysis showed the seismic energy was generated directly by a massive landslide. Experts noted that heavy rainfall or melting ice likely destabilized the ground. While climate change is known to accelerate glacier melt across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, scientists said it remains too early to determine its precise role in this specific incident.