A massive surge of muddy water swept through the Himalayan border region at Gyirong Port, engulfing buildings as flash floods wreaked havoc in northern Nepal and Tibet.
Footage from the Resuo Bridge captured people fleeing as a brown torrent of mud, rock, and water rushed down the canyon from Nepal, engulfing structures at the port. At least eight fatalities occurred, with hundreds missing after an avalanche blocked a river and triggered a downstream surge. Villages, roads, and hydropower projects were destroyed in Nepal’s Rasuwa district before the flood reached the Chinese side, cutting off power and communications while rescue operations began.
Officials reported 384 tourists missing, including 291 foreign nationals from India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Nepal requested assistance from India and China in reaching affected areas.
“We have asked both India and China to help us with the rescue efforts,” Sasmit Pokharel, a spokesperson for the Nepalese government, said.
Rasuwa district experienced similar flooding in August 2025 when a glacial lake in Tibet overflowed during high temperatures, resulting in nine deaths and damage to vital infrastructure.
Flash Flood Trigger
An ice and rock avalanche from a glacier in Nepal likely blocked the Lhende Khola River, causing a sudden release of water downstream. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, the Lhende Khola flooded twice in 14 months.
Saswata Sanyal, a disaster risk reduction specialist, emphasized the need for early warning systems in the climate-vulnerable region. “In a warming Himalaya, early warning is the first line of adaptation,” he noted.
The Himalayas face increased risk of floods, landslides, and heavy rainfall, warming faster than other regions due to climate change. Research shows glacier ice loss in the Hindu Kush Himalaya has doubled since 2000, driven by rising global temperatures.
China’s Reaction
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to locate missing individuals after the mudslide at Gyirong Port. He emphasized evacuating at-risk residents and providing medical treatment for the injured. Xi instructed officials to enhance monitoring, conduct rescues carefully, and guard against secondary disasters.
Premier Li Qiang directed the verification of missing and affected individuals, while Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing oversaw operations in the area. A total of 145 officers and soldiers from the People’s Armed Police were dispatched, and drone footage confirmed buildings buried by debris.
China’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Emergency Management allocated 120 million yuan ($17.9 million) for ongoing rescue and relief efforts, state broadcaster CGTN reported.
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