Death Toll Rises to 157 in Nepal Floods as Hundreds Remain Missing

Heavy flash floods and landslides have devastated northern Nepal and parts of Tibet, causing at least 157 confirmed deaths and leaving hundreds missing, according to local authorities. The disaster struck multiple villages, with four to five completely buried under mud, and 28 buses reported missing along with approximately 350 tourists whose identities and nationalities remain largely unknown. Official reports from Kathmandu and Chinese state media confirm severe damage and casualties on both sides of the Nepal-Tibet border, including the Gyirong port area in Tibet.

Rescue operations continue amid concerns that the death toll may rise due to inaccessible areas. The international unit of ZAKA, an Israeli rescue and recovery organization, is coordinating closely with the Israeli embassy in Nepal and local authorities. While no Israelis have been confirmed among the victims so far, there is ongoing investigation into a report of a missing Israeli tourist potentially trapped in Tibet.

The scale of the disaster and the number of missing persons have prompted urgent search and rescue efforts, but the situation remains critical as officials work to reach isolated communities and account for all affected individuals.