Around 320 Indians missing after Nepal border flood

A spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that around 320 Indian nationals remain missing after a devastating flash flood hit areas along the Nepal-Tibet border two days ago.

The spokesperson, cited by Reuters, added that at least 400 Indians are stranded but safe on the Chinese side, while 96 others have crossed into Nepal by land.

Nepalese police issued an urgent warning after receiving information about the collapse of a lake on the Tibetan side of the border with China, urging security and rescue teams as well as residents in threatened areas to exercise extreme caution and seek safe locations.

Police said in a statement that they had received a report about the lake collapse in Tibet, calling for immediate action and for any developments that could pose a risk to residents to be reported.

The warning comes two days after destructive floods swept through large areas of Nepal and Tibet, leaving hundreds dead or missing and causing widespread damage to homes, villages, bridges, roads, and energy facilities.

Earlier on Thursday, Nepalese police reported that contact had been lost with about 910 people across the country, including 517 foreign tourists, while the United States said it had lost contact with 90 of its citizens.