Top updates: Nepal flash flood toll rises to 162, over 130 Indians missing

The toll in the flash flood and mudslide in Nepal on Wednesday rose to 162, The Kathmandu Post reported. Hundreds of others remain missing, including 133 Indians.

Nearly 1,400 persons are missing in Nepal and Tibet, AFP reported.

Nepal’s disaster agency said that 823 persons are out of contact, including at least 579 tourists. In Tibet, 558 persons are reported missing.

The floods occurred in the Rasuwa district along Nepal’s northern border with China. The mountainous district is located about 120 km north of Kathmandu. As there was no rainfall in the area, residents did not have a warning about the deluge.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, which works on climate and glacial conditions in Nepal, stated that experts were investigating if the flood was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche.

Here’s more on this and other top updates:

• It was initially suspected that an earthquake could have caused the flash flood and mudslide. However, the United States Geological Survey said there was no earthquake in the area, the BBC reported.

• Water levels in the Trishuli river at Galchchi had reportedly risen by nine metres within 30 minutes, while levels at Malekhu rose by seven metres. “Preliminary assessment based on video footage and information from affected areas suggests that a large volume of ice and rock debris may have entered...

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