At least 31 people have died after devastating floods swept through parts of Nepal, with hundreds more feared missing as rescue teams race to reach communities cut off by the disaster.
Dramatic footage from the Nepal-China border shows a massive surge of water crashing through the area, forcing residents to run for safety as the floodwaters engulfed roads and infrastructure.
According to CNN, the disaster was triggered after an earthquake caused a large landslide that blocked a river. The resulting buildup of water was released downstream, sending a powerful torrent into nearby villages.
The flooding has caused widespread destruction, while helicopters attempting to assist stranded residents reportedly struggled to land because of the dangerously high water levels.
The disaster has also affected Tibet in China, where a mudslide struck the Gyirong port, with Chinese authorities warning of “major casualties.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an “all-out” search and rescue operation as emergency teams continue efforts to locate survivors.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Nepal said it was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life in the country’s Rasuwa district. It urged US citizens to avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas and move to higher ground.
With hundreds still reportedly unaccounted for, authorities fear the death toll could rise significantly as rescue operations continue.
