Kathmandu, Aug 27: A glacial collapse in the Nepal-Tibet border triggered a wall of water, mud and ice that tore through seven districts along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers on Wednesday, killing at least 359 people and leaving over 1,000 missing.
The US Geological Survey said the event, first mistaken for a magnitude 4.4 earthquake north of Kathmandu, was actually a magnitude 5.2 glacial collapse and debris flow that sent floodwaters surging nearly 30 feet and 170 km downstream.
Rescue teams of the Nepal Army are wading through sludge where lower floors of multi-storey buildings are buried. In Rasuwa alone, 29 police personnel and 44 soldiers are unaccounted for after their barracks were swept away. Dozens of workers at the 20 MW Langtang Khola Hydropower Project are still out of contact.
Among the missing are 133 Indians, including Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims. Officials said about 100 Indian nationals have been located so far. Other missing foreigners include Americans, Australians, Britons, Canadians, Malaysians and South Koreans.
With weather hampering air sorties and roads buried under two metres of soil in places, Nepal has issued a fresh warning for the Bhotekoshi after satellite images showed a new lake forming at the breach site that could burst.
India has rushed 10 tonnes of HADR supplies and medicines from Hindon Airport, while the MEA has set up a control room for stranded pilgrims.
