Updates: Nepal flash flood toll rises to 270, at least 178 Indians missing

The toll in the flash flood and mudslide in Nepal increased to 270 on Thursday. At least 517 foreigners, including 178 Indians, have been reported missing, the Nepal Tourism Board said.

More than 125 Nepali travellers also remain out of contact, said the board citing data from trekking and travel companies.

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.

Nepal’s disaster agency had earlier said that a total of 823 persons, including the foreign tourists, are out of contact, AFP reported. More than 510 persons were missing on the other side of the border in China.

Earlier on Thursday, Nepali Foreign Minister Shishir Khenal told NDTV that nearly 300 Indians were out of contact. “We know that many are in the affected area, but have not been able to fully establish contact with them,” Khenal told the TV channel.

Here’s more on this and other top updates:

• It was initially suspected that an earthquake could have caused the flash flood and mudslide on Wednesday. However, the United States Geological Survey said there was no earthquake in the area, the BBC reported.
• The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, which...

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