Nepal floods: 117 tourists rescued, 85 Indians among them; death toll rises over 500
Devastating flash floods in Nepal have resulted in over 500 deaths and left nearly 1,000 people missing, prompting large-scale rescue operations. Authorities are now warning of a potential second wave of flooding due to a newly formed barrier lake near the border.
Why it matters
The disaster highlights the extreme vulnerability of Himalayan regions to climate-induced geological and hydrological events.
A total of 117 tourists have been rescued from flood-hit areas of Nepal, including 85 Indians, the Nepal Tourism Board said on Friday, as rescue operations continued for a third day following devastating flash floods.The rescued tourists include 16 Chinese nationals, nine from South Korea, two each from the US and Italy, while the identities of three others are yet to be confirmed, according to news agency ANI.The flash floods that swept through Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal on Wednesday have killed at least 538 people, while nearly 1,000 others remain missing, the Associated Press reported citing officials. The disaster caused widespread damage to settlements, roads, bridges and hydropower projects.Nepal Police said 1,545 injured and stranded people have been rescued so far, while 7,451 security personnel have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations.Among those rescued, 84 people are currently receiving treatment at hospitals in Kathmandu.
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