Nepal floods highlights: Several Indian nationals missing, death count crosses 150, helplines issued

Nepal floods highlights: The death toll continues to mount in Nepal after it was struck by a devastating flash flood on Wednesday.

Nepal floods highlights: The number of dead in massive floods on the Nepal-Tibet border has crossed 150. Three people have also died in Tibet, where over 250 are missing after the floods. Hundreds, including Indians, are still missing as flash floods hit Nepal's Rasuwa district, bordering Tibet, on Wednesday. The flash floods left a trail of destruction, damaging roads, bridges and power projects in areas near Tibet, authorities said.

At least 398 tourists, including 133 Indians and 59 Nepalese, are not in touch with their tour operators, Jai Narayan Acharya, Nepal tourism joint secretary, said.

Across the border, Tibet reported "major casualties" with some missing in the neighbouring county of Gyirong after a mudslide hit a land crossing between China and Nepal, the Xinhua official news agency said.

The Nepal government sent helicopters to rescue those trapped in the floods. However, the waters were too high for helicopters to land in Nepal's affected areas of Syapru Besi and Timure in the mountainous district of Rasuwa, with a population of about 50,000, officials said, while flagging the risk of casualties.

"There could be heavy casualties or loss of property," district administrator Narendra Pariyar told Reuters. "But I cannot say for sure now." Pariyar urged those living on the banks of the Bhote Koshi river in the area to seek higher ground, pointing to reports that nearby villages and infrastructure project sites were washed away.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah said police and military were joining rescue and relief teams.

"Instructions have been given ... to move the people living in the lower areas to safer places," he said. “People along the river are advised to exercise extra caution and remain alert,” Reuters reported.

Indian authorities on alert

Rescue teams are on standby in parts of Bihar that share the border with Nepal in view of the flash floods. Evacuations have been started in some districts already, though the flood waters have yet not reached India.

NDRF teams have been deployed in West Champaran and Muzaffarpur in Bihar as a precautionary measure, NDRF IG Narendra Singh Bundela was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. “A total of nine teams are currently stationed in Bihar and the situation is being closely monitored,” he said.

China says port affected

China on Wednesday said its Gyirong port in Xinhua was affected by flash floods, cutting off roads, communications and power in the Shigatse region near the border with Nepal.

President Xi Jinping urged "all-out" search efforts for the missing as well as stronger monitoring and early warning systems to prevent secondary disasters.