At least 17 people have been killed after a massive flash flood and mudslide along the Nepal‑Tibet border washed away villages and damaged roads and infrastructure.
The flood hit early on Wednesday in Rasuwa, just north of Kathmandu, reportedly caused by excessive snow melting into the Bhote Koshi river.
Search operations are underway on both sides of the border and 12 people have been rescued so far.
State media in China say there are significant casualties and Nepalese officials anticipate huge scale loss.
Abhi Narayan Kaphle, a Nepal Police spokesman, told the BBC that all security agencies were working together on rescue efforts.
Videos show floodwater crashing through villages, with roads, communications and power disrupted in several downstream areas.
Authorities say the main road to Kathmandu is closed, and logistics companies have lost contact with crews stranded by the flood.
Guan Daoxuan from Sichuan province reported losing contact with his wife after the flood, whose family worked on state‑run construction projects in Tibet.
The disaster management authority advised residents near riverbanks to remain alert and take precautions.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah, in a social media post after an emergency meeting, said work has started to coordinate medical teams, scouts and the Red Cross.
Missing officers and dozens of police staff have not been located, and last year’s similar flood in Rasuwa killed 18 people.
Officials believe this Wednesday’s disaster exceeds last year’s scale, underlining growing vulnerability to Himalayan meltwater events.
